Sunnyside, Wash.-based orthopedic surgeon Valentin Antoci, MD, had his surgical privileges restored after a hearing before the state Medical Quality Assurance Commission, the YakimaHerald.com reports.
Here are five things to know.
1. Dr. Antoci is cleared to operate as the commission investigates allegations that he failed to properly treat two patients.
2. The commission accused Dr. Antoci of improperly treating a patient's shoulder injury and failing to recognize a complication that left the patient with long-term loss of function in her arm. The commission also accused him of failing to properly diagnose and treat a 64-year-old patient's ankle infection, putting the man at risk for amputation according to commission documents.
3. The Medical Quality Assurance Commission restricted Dr. Antoci's surgical privileges in March. In a hearing last week, the commission found that an "inordinate" amount of time had passed since the 2014 and 2016 operations in question, and therefore there was no immediate threat or danger.
4. Several physicians at last week's hearing testified on Dr. Antoci's behalf, claiming there was no evidence Dr. Antoci violated the standard of care.
5. Dr. Antoci's attorney David Smith expects his client to be fully exonerated when the allegations proceed to another hearing.
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