By Washington Medical Commission - 27.03.2024 [USA] - [Michael C. Ferries]
A Spokane doctor was accused of sexual misconduct and abuse by a patient and will now be required to take ethics trainings from the Washington Medical Commission.
Dr. Michael C. Ferries, an anaesthesiologist who has previously worked at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Centre according to US News and World Report, was accused of inappropriate conduct in May 2023.
According to Washington State Department of Health documents, a patient who was undergoing anaesthesia was touched by Ferries without medical justification.
“[Ferries] touched [the patient’s] uncovered breast with his hand without an appropriate examination or treatment purpose and made comments about [the patient’s] breast(s) that had no legitimate medical or therapeutic purpose,” Department of Health documents said.
Ferries accepted the penalties imposed by the state medical commission, which include taking two courses and paying recovery costs.
He will also be required to notify patients that he is under stipulation with the state for the next four years. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Dignity4Patients, whose helpline is open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm.
Dignity4Patients Commentary: While being forced to notify future patients of the sanctions placed on errant #SexualAbuse offenders in healthcare. Is ethical training really enough to #ProtectPatients in the future? Ongoing #Chaperoning or Removal from healthcare is more appropriate.