Medical regulators are accusing Dr. Michael A. Palmer of gross negligence, saying the Eureka surgeon failed to repair one patient’s hernia correctly and created false or misleading records on that patient and one other.
The episodes occurred in 2010 and 2011, according to a formal accusation that the state Attorney General’s Office has filed on behalf of the Medical Board of California.
Through an attorney, Palmer denied the accusations and declined to be interviewed.
“Dr. Palmer has done nothing but provide excellent care to his patients and is confident that the Medical Board will not be able to prove that there is a basis for the claims,” attorney Michael Morrison wrote in an email to the Journal late Wednesday afternoon. The board’s allegations “are not accurate,” the email said.
The Medical Board investigates complaints against doctors, but most of those complaints never rise to the level of a formal accusation. First, the board’s staffers have to think there is enough merit to assign an investigator. Then, as the matter is investigated, “we have a burden of proof we have to meet for the Attorney General’s Office,” said Cassandra Hockenson, the board’s public affairs manager.
The Oct. 30 accusation against Palmer outlines two cases, starting with “SM,” a woman who was seen by Palmer’s physician assistant in late 2009 and then scheduled for surgery in January. Before the operation, a transcription made its way into hospital records of what the accusation calls a “purported” physical examination done on Jan. 12. The trouble with that? When board investigators questioned Palmer, “respondent acknowledged that he did not see SM at any time before the morning of the January 13, 2010 surgery.”
Failing to ever see his patient or counsel her before operating on her is one of three counts of “gross negligence” levied at the doctor by the state, which called it “an extreme departure from the standard of care.”
The second piece of “gross negligence” was the surgery itself, which didn’t fix the hernia that was of primary concern, the accusation said. A different doctor had to operate a second time, in July 2011, it added.
The third negligent episode, according to the state, involved a pediatric patient called “CB,” who also was seen by Palmer’s physician assistant. The youngster’s hernia surgery went well, but the doctor’s failure to see his patient beforehand constituted another “extreme departure from the standard of care,” the accusation said.
On top of that, the state also accused Palmer of creating “false or misleading” records on both patients.
The case against the doctor now goes to an administrative hearing office, which would preside over a trial-like procedure unless the Medical Board and the doctor reach a settlement beforehand. Possible penalties include being put on probation, being forbidden from supervising physician assistants, or even having his license to practice medicine suspended or revoked.
This article appears in Nov 7-13, 2013.
Dr Palmer conducted carotid successful surgery on me about a month ago. Carotid surgery is a very invasive operation. I have also had a hernia repaired by another surgeon. The carotid surgery required my being put under. The hernia operation was done with a local anesthetic. I was awake during the entire procedure. My point is a hernia should have been a slam dunk for Palmer. Almost impossible to mess up and unless there is a violation if Palmer has to speak with the patient I would think his PA could have covered the pre-op. Last Palmer has a five star rating online.
Dr Palmer is an outstanding physician – and human being. He has worked tirelessly for this community for many many years, sacrificing his own personal life to be there for the endless masses of patients who need his services in this profoundly undeserved region of the country. Much of the population in this community has been helped in some way by Dr. Palmer or his P.A. Katy (who is amazing) over the years. The amount of appreciation and gratitude owed to both of these 2 individuals can not possibly be measured, because it is beyond immense. Period.
I had a hernia repair surgery done by Dr. Palmer in December of 2011. It still hurts me daily. The numerous times I complained to him in a few visits after the surgery, he poopooed my complaints and sent me on my way. The care I got from him was definitely sub par, no pre surgery info to prep me, not even a pamphlet from his staff. In my interactions with him, he treated me poorly, condescending to me. I never saw him wash his hands, either.
My father was a patient of Dr Palmer for over 35 years. He performed an cardiac/thoracic aneurism repair and several smaller surgeries over that time. He always showed respect, kindness and compassion. Most important, he was forthright & honest with him up until the time my Dad passed away from cancer at age 84. My father had strong faith in Dr Palmer. Mainly because he always considered my Dad’s well-being uppermost. This resulted in a peace of mind for my Dad that helped him cope.
I had a laparoscopic hernia repair with mesh done by Dr Palmer mid Nov 2011. I was discharged from the hospital by Dr Palmer after a few days with a 102 fever. I questioned this as I know you don’t get discharged with fevers. The nurse said doctor approved it. I did not see Dr Palmer so how could he approve it. At home I became sick and started to get chills. Feeling bad I called Dr. Palmer’s office to get an appt. I got in to see his physician’s assistant. She said I probably had pneumonia and prescribed antibiotics. I again went home and started these pills. Then one night feeling really bad and shaking uncontrollably my husband made me take my temperature. I was at 104. He took me to the ER right then. I layed in a gurney for hours. I was then pushed into a backroom where I stayed without anyone checking on me till 3am. I was then admitted and given a huge room where everyone wore gowns and masks to enter. This was on Nov.28th. At this point I lost three days of my life. No memory of what would happen next. I was cut open from side to side. I had a raging infection that was killing me. the hernia mesh was removed. It was not a recall mesh by the way. It was an infection that you get when fecal matter leaks into your stomach. I was put on mega doses of antibiotics. They were so strong that everything I ate or drank tasted like metal. Finally on Dec 15, 2011 I was able to go home. A $235,276.74 hospital bill to follow me. this did not include the doctor, the infectious disease doctor or the surgery and ER bills. I had a recheck with Dr Palmer. He said things were looking good. I asked how I got this infection. His answer floored me. He said I must have had these germs in my body hidden away since my gallbladder surgery, done by another doctor. Done 30 years prior. He said he must have disturbed these germs! I could not except his explanation. So here I am with my once tiny hernia repair now looking like a football coming out of my stomach. I ended up going to another surgeon to try to repair the damage I now suffer. I will always be disfigured thanks to Dr. Palmer. My advice would be is to stay away from Dr Palmer. He rushes through surgeries to get as many done in a day as he can.
Dr. Palmer was my mom’s doctor and when we had to take her off life support, he stayed with us for support and I will never forget that and for that to me he is a great person and physician
Are these two entirely different people being commented on?! My neighbor JUST reported that his sister had an inguinal stent inserted by this Dr
For days after she phoned his staff that her foot on that leg was freezing.. ignored her until she went to ER — GANGRENE had set in clear to the bone & half her foot had to be amputated.