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News Release — September 20, 2005
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
September 20, 2005
Medical Board Accusation Leads to Surrender
Of Fallbrook Physician's Medical License
SACRAMENTO—Facing a formal Accusation of wrongdoing by the Medical Board of California, Fallbrook physician Joseph Edward O'Donnell, M.D. agreed to surrender his license to practice medicine. The stipulated surrender of his medical license was ordered on August 19, 2005 and became effective on September 19, 2005. Medical Board Executive Director David Thornton stated, "The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers. We work diligently to achieve our mission by vigorously enforcing the Medical Practice Act."
The Medical Board had accused O'Donnell of violating Business and Professions Code sections 2234(b)(c)(d) [gross negligence, repeated negligent acts, incompetence] and 2266 [failure to maintain adequate and accurate medical records] in his care and treatment of two pregnant patients, resulting in the deaths of two infants shortly after delivery.
It was alleged O'Donnell had committed gross negligence, repeated negligent acts, and/or incompetence during his care of both pregnant patients. As concerned the first patient it was alleged he: failed to monitor the fetal heart rate for an extended period of time during the second stage of labor and delivery of "Twin B;" failed to record the presentation, station, and position of Twin B during all the maneuvers and manipulations intended to effect delivery; and failed to record the number and duration of pulls with the vacuum on Twin B. With respect to the second patient, it was alleged O'Donnell: failed to provide the patient with adequate analgesia; failed to adequately document the fetal station at which the vacuum was applied to the baby; and failed to timely delivery the posterior arm of the baby. It was further alleged that during his care, treatment, and management of the deliveries, O'Donnell failed to maintain adequate and accurate records.
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The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professions and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.
If you have a question or complaint about the healthcare you are receiving, the board encourages you to visit its Web site at www.caldocinfo.ca.gov or for questions call the Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382, or with complaints call (800) 633-2322.
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