State Disciplines Health Care Providers

OLYMPIA, Wash., March 19 -- 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The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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.

Cowlitz County

In February 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program charged chemical dependency professional and chemical dependency professional trainee Steven Michael Morrison (CP60214192, CO60115692) with unprofessional conduct. Morrison allegedly had sex with one client and falsely certified that another client had completed an alcohol-drug information school when they had not.

Franklin County

In February 2014 the Medical Assistant, X-Ray Technician and Radiologic Technologist programs ended probation for health care assistant, X-ray technician, and radiologic technologist James R.H. Maxwell (HC00150727, XT00004119, RT60243067).

King County

In February 2014 the Medical Commission charged physician Wallace R. Hodges (MD00015517) with unprofessional conduct. The charges say that in 2008 Hodges began treating a 29-year-old woman, including managing her pain medications. He didn't get her medical history, obtain or review her records, or discuss her care with people who had treated her previously. Over several years, Hodges prescribed a variety of medications that at times, in doses, and in combinations that placed the patient at risk. After the patient was hospitalized for depression and suicidal thoughts, the hospital noted a substance abuse history that Hodges hadn't documented. Charges say he didn't adequately document treatment and allowed the patient to get early refills of potentially harmful medications; they also state that Hodges took no action when the patient reported mixing alcohol and narcotics, putting her at risk. The patient entered a detoxification program following a suicide attempt, and Hodges continued prescribing medication after the patient completed treatment. In 2011, a day after filling a prescription for Oxycontin, allegedly authorized by Hodges, the patient was found dead in her bed from accidental oxycodone intoxication. Her Oxycontin bottle contained 56 of the original 200 tablets.

In February 2014 the X-Ray Technician Program charged X-ray technician Richard W. Young (XT60000893) with unprofessional conduct. Young allegedly didn't comply with a 2011 stipulation.

In February 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Alexander Gachie Mbugua (NC60029168) with unprofessional conduct. In 2013 Mbugua applied to reactivate his license, which expired in 2012. He was convicted of driving while intoxicated twice in 2010 and once in 2011.

In February 2014 the Home Care Aide Program ended conditions on the credential of home care aide Frances Michele Tucker (HM60398717).

In February 2014 the Unlicensed Practice Program corrected a statement of notification to Ellie McCormack of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order, changing the word "endontia" to "endodontic treatment."

In February 2014 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Guiqin Jin of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Jin, who has no massage practitioner credential, allegedly owned a business that advertised foot reflexology and body massage.

Pierce County

In February 2014 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Lindsey M. Alvarez (RN60154086) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Alvarez withdrew narcotics for patients six times at the hospital where she worked, but didn't document administering or disposing of the medication. She allegedly admitted taking the drugs and selling or trading them to support her alcohol addiction, and didn't comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.

In February 2014 the Nursing Assistant and Agency Affiliated Counselor programs charged registered nursing assistant and agency affiliated counselor Patrick Steven Crews (NA00170767, CG60230444) with unprofessional conduct. Crews allegedly didn't comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.

In February 2014 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Lisa L. Lackie, also known as Lisa L. Douglas (LP60057592), with unprofessional conduct. Lackie allegedly didn't comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract she agreed to after she admitted diverting narcotics for her own use from where she worked.

In February 2014 the Naturopathy Board charged naturopathic physician Thomas James Young (NT00000558) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say that Young prescribed controlled substances beyond the scope of his credential for at least 10 different patients.

Skagit County

In February 2014 the Nursing Assistant and Medical Assistant programs amended a statement of charges against registered nursing assistant and medical assistant-phlebotomist Danielle L. Jensen (NA00165735, PC60348190). The amended statement reflects that she received the medical assistant-phlebotomist credential in October 2013. The amendment adds this credential to the original statement of charges that was filed against her registered nursing assistant credential in December of 2013. Jensen allegedly tested positive for amphetamines and methamphetamines, and admitted to using them while working at a hospital. She hasn't responded to a Department of Health investigator's inquiry.

Snohomish County

In February 2014 the Dental Commission charged dental assistant Jennifer Mikele Compton (D160029782) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Compton didn't comply with substance abuse monitoring contracts on two occasions.

In February 2014 the secretary of health entered an agreement with physician Eric Anthony Haas (MD60064104) that places him on probation for at least three years. The Medical Commission transferred authority to the secretary of health for this case. Haas must pay a $5,000 fine, complete professional ethics programs, undergo an evaluation to determine whether he can practice safely, and enter a program in which an experienced physician mentors him. Haas had a sexual relationship with a patient he treated for a cardiac condition.

Spokane County

In February 2014 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Margretta Anne Brown (CM60372740) with unprofessional conduct. Brown allegedly called a pharmacy and submitted prescriptions for controlled substances she said were ordered by an advanced registered nurse practitioner on four occasions. Charges say the prescriptions were written for Brown's husband but she later admitted that three of them were for her own use.

In February 2014 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Karen H. Williams (RN00103810) with unprofessional conduct. Williams allegedly didn't pass a drug test given to her after several co-workers at the medical center where she worked reported that she appeared impaired.

In February 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Desiree J. Seymore (NA60246126) with unprofessional conduct. Seymore allegedly admitted taking controlled substances from a resident at an adult family home where she worked. Charges say she first said she needed extra money, then admitted having a narcotics addiction.

Thurston County

In February 2014 the Counselor Program charged certified counselor Connie J. Mortinson (CL60160010) with unprofessional conduct. Mortinson allegedly formed close personal relationships with five patients, creating what she called a "mom contract" that blurred the boundaries between her and the patients. She also allegedly hired two patients to perform office work for her.

In February 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Cameron N. Malizio (NC60083153) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Malizio shoved a soapy rag into the mouth of a 90-year-old dementia patient. The patient allegedly appeared unable to breathe. The Department of Social and Health Services found Malizio had abused a vulnerable adult.

In February 2014 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Debra J. Heimbuch (RN00082652) with unprofessional conduct. Heimbuch allegedly didn't comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.

Whatcom County

In February 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Christeen L. Young (NC10064795) with unprofessional conduct. Young pleaded guilty to third-degree theft in connection with taking a DVD from a dementia patient who was under her care.

Yakima County

In February 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program charged chemical dependency professional Jacci Eileen Hawkins (CP00005485) with unprofessional conduct. Hawkins allegedly submitted a urine sample for an employer drug test that was described as "not consistent with human origin." She then submitted to an observed urinalysis that allegedly tested positive for marijuana, amphetamines, and methamphetamines. Hawkins allegedly didn't respond to an offer to enter a substance abuse monitoring program.

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