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US Doc Faces Charges in 13 Aussie Deaths

Manslaughter hearings set against former surgery boss

By Amelia Atlas,  Newser User

Posted Feb 8, 2009 4:56 AM CST

(Newser) – An American doctor faces charges of negligence and manslaughter in 13 patient deaths in an Australian hospital, AP reports. Dr. Jayant Patel, former head of surgery in a state-run Queensland hospital, failed to disclose disciplinary measures taken against him by medical boards in both New York and Oregon. Patel faces a life sentence if convicted of the charges against him, which include three counts of manslaughter.

The "unacceptable level of care" on Patel's watch contributed directly to patient deaths, according to government documents. In one case, a woman's surgical wound fell apart, exposing her intestines. In another, a major blood vessel to a man's heart was cut during a basic procedure, causing him to bleed to death, according to authorities. Patel was extradited from his Oregon home for the hearings in Australia.

The wife of Dr. Jayant Patel, Kishoree Patel, center, is surrounded by family, supporters and attorneys following a hearing in the US District Court in Portland, Ore., last year.
The wife of Dr. Jayant Patel, Kishoree Patel, center, is surrounded by family, supporters and attorneys following a hearing in the US District Court in Portland, Ore., last year.   (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
American Dr. Jayant Patel will appear in an Australian court this week to face charges linked to the death of at least 13 patients.
American Dr. Jayant Patel will appear in an Australian court this week to face charges linked to the death of at least 13 patients.   (AP Photo/Multnomah County, Wash. Sherrif's Department, file)
Kishoree Patel, right, the wife of Dr. Jayant Patel, leaves the Federal Courthouse with an unidentified woman in Portland, Ore., last year.
Kishoree Patel, right, the wife of Dr. Jayant Patel, leaves the Federal Courthouse with an unidentified woman in Portland, Ore., last year.   (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)
Shantu Shah, center,  a friend of Dr. Jayant Patel, is surrounded by the media as he leaves the Federal Courthouse in Portland, Ore., last year.
Shantu Shah, center, a friend of Dr. Jayant Patel, is surrounded by the media as he leaves the Federal Courthouse in Portland, Ore., last year.   (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
riffran
Feb 8, 2009 6:08 AM CST
now the question is.....is he Natural born or naturalized....just kidding....That is horible, I have had to deal with "botched" jobs and the care afterwards....yikes

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