State Disciplines Health Care Providers

OLYMPIA, Wash., Jan. 29 -- The Washington State Department of Health issued the following news release:

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.

The department's Health Systems Quality Assurance Division works with boards, commissions, and advisory committees to set licensing standards for more than 80 health care professions (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, counselors).

Information about health care providers is on the agency website. Click on "Look up a healthcare provider license (http://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProviderCredentialSearch.aspx)" in the "How Do I?" section of the Department of Health website (http://www.doh.wa.gov/home.aspx) (doh.wa.gov). The site includes information about a health care provider's license status, the expiration and renewal date of their credential, disciplinary actions and copies of legal documents issued after July 1998. This information is also available by calling 360-236-4700. Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are encouraged to call and report their complaint.

Chelan County

In December of 2013 the Nursing Commission conditionally granted a licensed practical nurse credential to Kelly Lynn Carpenter (LP60415000). In 2012 Carpenter was convicted of reckless driving.

Clark County

In December of 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Samantha Meredith Horner (NA60259160) with unprofessional conduct. The Department of Social and Health Services found Horner physically abused a vulnerable adult. It placed her on its Residential Care Services Registry, restricting her ability to practice as a nursing assistant.

In November 2013 the Home Care Aide Program denied home care aide-provisional and home care aide credentials to Jeffery Bryon Koupal (PV60426074, HM60416673), who in September 2013 was denied a registered nursing assistant credential.

Douglas County

In December of 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant David J. Lopez (NA60337509) with unprofessional conduct. After finding he mentally abused a vulnerable adult, the Department of Social and Health Services will not allow Lopez to be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

King County

In December of 2013 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Haoran Mi of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Mi, who has no credential, allegedly massaged a client.

In December of 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program agreed to reinstate the registered nursing assistant credential of Nicole R. Pargett (NA60058437) and placed her on probation for at least three years. Pargett's credential was suspended in 2010 after she didn't comply with an agreement requiring her to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program.

In December of 2013 the Nursing Commission amended a statement of charges against registered nurse Kent Harry Middleton (RN60224857) to add an allegation that he provided a substituted urine sample for a pre-employment drug test.

In December of 2013 the Dental Commission charged dentist Kent Koshi Kusakabe (DE00006050) with unprofessional conduct. Kusakabe allegedly didn't take radiographs during a patient's initial examination, used plastic food wrap as a barrier on controls and handles, didn't keep adequate logs, and had a dirty, dilapidated, and unkempt office.

In December of 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Kimberley K. Pearson (RN00077236) with unprofessional conduct. Pearson allegedly didn't comply with a 2013 agreement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.

In December of 2013 the Naturopathy Board charged naturopathic physician Beth A. Di Domenico (NT00000861) with unprofessional conduct. Di Domenico allegedly practiced beyond her scope by prescribing controlled substances naturopathic physicians aren't allowed to prescribe, and allowing others to prescribe using her Drug Enforcement Administration number.

Pierce County

In December of 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Amanda J. Thiel (NA60320585) with unprofessional conduct. In 2008 Thiel was found beyond a reasonable doubt to have committed fourth-degree assault and felony harassment. In 2009 she was found beyond a reasonable doubt to have committed third-degree theft. In 2013 she was convicted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance -- heroin.

In December of 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Amy K. Fisk (NC10075404) with unprofessional conduct. In 2013 Fisk was convicted of custodial assault.

In December of 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program denied a registered nursing assistant credential to Latasha Sheray Staves (NA60292961). On her application, Staves said she'd never been found to have violated laws regulating health care professions and that she'd never had action taken against a license. Her Louisiana certified nurse aide credential had previously been revoked after a finding that she'd physically abused a vulnerable adult.

In December of 2013 the Chiropractic Commission ended probation for chiropractor Mark D. Rutherford (CH00002419).

Skagit County

In December of 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Danielle L. Jensen (NA00165735) with unprofessional conduct. Jensen allegedly took a drug test that showed positive results for amphetamines and methamphetamines, after which, charges say, she admitted using the substances.

Snohomish County

In December of 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse James Randall-Graydon Nelson (RN60105802) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly didn't comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.

Spokane County

In December of 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Cory Lane Bromley (NA60252015) with unprofessional conduct. In 2013 Bromley was convicted of two counts of third-degree assault.

Thurston County

In December of 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Riley David Branon (NA60315555) with unprofessional conduct. Branon worked as a caregiver for two people with developmental disabilities who lived independently. Branon allegedly signed out on a staff log, writing "resigning" next to his signature, without telling the only client there at the time, a person who used a wheelchair and who was physically dependent on staff members. Charges say the other client returned about 55 minutes later, and that the two remained there with no one on duty until another staff member arrived about two hours and 15 minutes later.

In December of 2013 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Audrey Pastore (LP00051484) with unprofessional conduct. The Department of Social and Health Services found that Pastore abused a 79-year-old patient, bruising her left wrist when she grabbed her by the left wrist to pull her up. Charges say Pastore didn't complete an incident report.

In December of 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Darlene S. Teo (NA60283468) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say a resident at the care center where Teo worked reported he was missing a pendant valued at about $3,000. It was later found at a pawn shop. Teo allegedly said she'd tried to return the pendant to the store where the resident had bought it, but later brought it back. She hasn't responded to a Department of Health investigator's inquiry.

Whatcom County

In December of 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program ended probation for certified nursing assistant Delexis Ashley Delaney (NC60264536).

In December of 2013 the Emergency Medical Technician Program conditionally granted an emergency medical technician credential to Peter M. Rule (ES60255013) and placed him on probation for at least three years. In September 2013 the Veterinary Board placed Rule's veterinarian credential on probation for at least three years. He diverted medications for his own use, used unnecessary force with patients, allowed employees to perform duties only veterinarians should perform, didn't meet care standards, and didn't provide medical records as required.

In December of 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Amy K. Hamner (NA00130741) with unprofessional conduct. The Department of Social and Health Services, which found Hamner neglected a vulnerable adult, will not allow her to be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Out of State

Georgia: In December of 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Amber Danielle Baltzell (NC60122913) with unprofessional conduct. After finding Baltzell financially exploited a vulnerable adult, the Department of Social and Health Services will not allow her to be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Idaho: In November 2013 the Home Care Aide Program denied a home care aide credential to Audra Crystal Baldenegro (HM60324332), who in 2012 was found guilty of disturbing the peace and in 2013 was charged with battery.

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