The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor The Northern Regional Health Authority is responding to statements made by Dr. Krishan Sethi following a dispute that lasted more than two years. In October 2010, the NOR-MAN RHA, now part of the Northern RHA, had accused Sethi of a string of misdeeds relating to his work at the Flin Flon General Hospital. Those accusations were heard by two panels, the Medical Advisory Committee and the Appeal Committee, the latter of which recently completed its work. In 'Panel sides with Dr. Sethi,' an article that appeared in Wednesday's Reminder, Sethi presented his side of the story. Now, in response to that article, Northern RHA spokesperson Glenn Hildebrand has forwarded The Reminder the following statement: 'The Medical Staff By-Law referred to in your article established a process by which complaints against Members may be heard and addressed. The complaint resolution process prescribed by the By-Law is an important part of hospital governance and must be followed and completed once complaints have been made. 'In 2011, the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC), a Committee of Dr. Sethi's medical peers, considered complaints about Dr. Sethi made pursuant to the Medical Staff By-Law. In broad terms, the complaints concerned the delivery of anesthetic care to patients; Dr. Sethi's treatment of some nursing and administrative staff; and Dr. Sethi's behavior toward some IMG (international medical graduate) physicians at Flin Flon General Hospital. Dr. Sethi responded to and denied the complaints. See 'Comm..' on pg.3 Continued from pg. 1 'Following a hearing, the MAC, in Reasons for Decision of 15 pages, made findings in respect of the complaints and consequential recommendations to the Board of the Hospital. In a 'Summary of Findings', the MAC determined that Dr. Sethi displayed a lack of knowledge of or lack of skill or judgment in the delivery of patient care to patients of NRHA in areas of his anesthetic practice. In addition, the MAC concluded that Dr. Sethi failed to meet a reasonable ethical or behavioural standard by arriving late for surgery on a regular basis without ensuring that OR nursing staff were advised he would be late; demonstrating inappropriate behavior toward nursing and administrative staff at Flin Flon General Hospital; and threatening, intimidating and demonstrating inappropriate behavior toward a physician. The MAC found no financial impropriety on the part of Dr. Sethi. 'The recommendations made by the MAC included revocation of Dr. Sethi's anesthetic privileges, and reinstatement of ER privileges following remedial training in workplace conflict resolution and submission by Dr. Sethi of a letter of apology to certain staff and a physician. Those recommendations were accepted by the Board of Directors of NRHA. 'Dr. Sethi appealed the decision of the MAC. The Appeal Committee, in written reasons for Decision of 94 pages, varied some of the recommendations made by the MAC, but did not disturb the findings made by the MAC in respect of the complaints. In fact, the Appeal Committee accepted the findings reached by the MAC. The Appeal Committee did not take 'sides' with any party as your article suggests. One member of the Appeal Committee dissented. 'The Appeal Committee varied a recommendation made by the MAC in respect of Dr. Sethi's ER privileges. However, as to the suggestion of entitlement, no Member of the Medical Staff is entitled to ER privileges. A group of doctors, not NRHA, is responsible for the scheduling and assignment of emergency medical services pursuant to the Flin Flon General Hospital Emergency Services Agreement. The NRHA is unaware of any approach by Dr. Sethi to the responsible Group regarding his providing ER services. 'Your article quotes Dr. Sethi stating he has 'no intentions of providing anaesthesia services at the Flin Flon General Hospital.' In the result, the NRHA is satisfied that the objectives of the Medical Staff By-Law were served and that proceedings before the MAC and the Appeal Committee have contributed to the benefit of patients, nurses, staff and physicians at the Flin Flon General Hospital.'
