Written by
The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Board of Medical Practice is responsible for protecting the public from physician errors and misconduct. But a Star Tribune investigation published Sunday finds the board often shies away from punishing doctors whose mistakes harm patients or who demonstrate a pattern of substandard care.
Records examined by the newspaper show that since 2000, at least 46 Minnesota doctors escaped board discipline after other states took action against them for such missteps as committing crimes, patient care errors or inappropriate relationships with patients.
The investigation also finds more than half the 74 doctors who lost their privileges to work in Minnesota hospitals and clinics over the past decade were never disciplined by the board.
Board officials say the record reflects a regulatory philosophy that favors correcting problems over punishment.
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