Kaiser doctor accused of not reporting sex abuse

Kaiser is a bit like the Catholic Church, it would seem, protecting its own at the expense of those it is supposed to care for.

Kaiser has also protected a doctor who altered a report by another doctor.

Kaiser doctor accused of not reporting sex abuse
By COURTNEY PERKES
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
August 2, 2011

The chief of family medicine at Kaiser Permanente in Orange County faces discipline by the California Medical Board for allegations that he failed to report to the state that another doctor was sexually abusing patients.

The board, in documents made public Tuesday, accuses Dr. Lance Charles Brunner of "willful failure" to alert state authorities three different times after Dr. David Hung Do was sanctioned by the Southern California Permanente Medical Group.
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State law requires reporting within 15 days of any loss of staff privileges based on medical discipline tied to actions "detrimental to patient safety or to the delivery of patient care."

John Stratman, a Kaiser spokesman, disputed the board's allegations and said on Tuesday a report was filed as required by law. He said he did not know the date and that Kaiser would "vigorously defend" Brunner.

In April, the medical board revoked Do's license after five Kaiser Permanente patients alleged that he examined them inappropriately between 2006 and 2008.

One of Do's patients came to see him for a prescription for a seasickness patch. Do touched her breast and put his bare hand down her pants, touching her genitals, according to the medical board. The patient reported the incident to Kaiser.

In deciding to revoke Do's medical license, the administrative law judge hearing the case described Do as a sexual predator. He has pleaded not guilty to four criminal counts of sexual battery and a pretrial hearing is scheduled for September.

In the case of Brunner, the board documents allege three instances during the internal disciplinary process where Brunner failed to alert the state as required by law. The first was after Do was removed from treating patients in June 2008 while under investigation for inappropriate touching.

In August, Do was terminated and given the right to a hearing. In February of 2009, an arbitration hearing was held and Do was allowed to submit a letter of resignation. His resignation was reported to the medical board in late March, nine months after he was barred from seeing patients.

State law allows for a fine for failure to report to the state, the board documents say.

To check a doctor's disciplinary record, visit medbd.ca.gov