Wisconsin state medical board imposes harsh sanctions against Chelation physician - Editorial

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Jan, 2003

6) Respondent shall make no statement concerning a patient's condition, orally or in writing, to any third party payor or a patient (or patient's caregiver) which is not clearly supportable by the patient's health care record. Respondent shall not make any statement to a third party payor or a patient (or patient's caregiver) that a patient has abnormal levels of any substance without enclosing the laboratory report which supports that statement.

7) Respondent shall, at his own expense, retain a physician who is board certified in a specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties in a field providing primary care to patients, who is acceptable to the Board, such acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld. The retained physician shall, on behalf of the Board, review respondent's patient charts no less often than every three months, or as the retained physician shall determine is necessary to timely review the records, and shall report to the Board any conduct which may violate this Order or be negligent, unprofessional, in violation of any state or federal law or rule, or outside the standard of care. The retained physician's sole duty is to the Board and not to any patient or third party. Respondent shall cooperate at all times with the retained physician including by timely paying any fees in full, answering questions, and providing supplemental information promptly when requested. All of respondent's personal clinical notes resulti ng from office visits shall be typed.

8) Respondent shall forthwith ensure that none of his staff uses the title "certified clinical nutritionist" or any other title which violates [section]448.76, Wis. Stats.

9) Respondent shall forthwith cease to use any advertising which includes testimonials, and shall not advertise any medical practice or course of treatment which would include any particular or specific off-label use of drug products or devices, nor shall he advertise that he is board-certified unless he is either certified by a board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, or discloses the full name of the Board which has certified him. However, Respondent continues to have the right to advertise his complementary and alternative medicine practice.

10) Respondent shall, at his own expense, participate in and successfully complete within 12 months of the date of this Order, an educational program established through the University of Wisconsin Continuing Medical Education Program (which may conduct any program through the Medical College of Wisconsin or another CME provider) in medical recordkeeping approved by the Board or its designee. Alternatively, respondent shall complete another recordkeeping course pre-approved by the Board or its designee, which is substantially equivalent.

a) Under tutelage of a mentor selected by the program, Respondent shall review a selected text on medical recordkeeping, and shall introduce the mentor's recommendations into his system in both clinic and hospital records. All of Respondent's records may be reviewed and discussed periodically as the mentor shall determine. Reviews may include not only the adequacy of documentation but any quality of care or related issue.