Doctor Defends herself in Hepatitis Outbreak. She plans on working in anther clinic!

[greatful1]

State files complaints against doctor involved in Brandon hepatitis outbreak
By Richard Martin, Times Staff Writer
Florida files two administrative complaints against a Brandon clinic's medical chief.
The state has filed a pair of administrative complaints against a doctor for her role in a hepatitis C outbreak that occurred at a holistic medical clinic in Brandon.

The complaints allege that Dr. Carol Roberts failed to institute, monitor and use acceptable infection control practices at Wellness Works, 1209 Lakeside Drive, where 11 patients tested positive for hepatitis C in 2009.

The complaints say Roberts, as the clinic's medical director, was responsible for ensuring patients were provided appropriate medical care under sanitary conditions. They add that she committed medical malpractice for failing "to meet the prevailing standard of care."

The state is requesting that the Board of Medicine impose penalties that could include a reprimand, fine, probation or even the revocation or suspension of Roberts' license.

Roberts, 65, said Thursday that she could not discuss the complaints because they are an ongoing legal issue. She said she wasn't surprised by the state's action.

"The Board of Health has to do what it has to do," she said. "This is not settled. We have to go through a legal process."

The complaints, both of which were filed June 23, involved intravenous therapies provided to two of the patients who tested positive for hepatitis C.

One involved a patient, identified as M.F., who underwent an IV vitamin treatment on April 22, 2009. The other involved a patient, identified as W.G., who underwent 10 chelation IV treatments between April 15 and June 2, 2009. Chelation uses IV medications to grab heavy metals and minerals out of the blood and remove them from the body.

In both cases, the patients later became sick and tested positive for hepatitis C, a contagious liver disease that can last from a few weeks to a lifetime and can cause serious damage.

The complaints do not mention the current health of patients M.F. and W.G.

On July 14, 2009, Roberts contacted public health officials about the infections, and an investigation was conducted. More than 100 patients who underwent IV treatments at the clinic in the past year were contacted and tested for hepatitis C. In all, 11 tested positive.

The inquiry found that the transmission was caused by the "failure of clinic staff to follow standard procedures for preparing and administering IV therapy."

Roberts said the clinic took all of the corrective actions required by the Health Department. "We always cooperated with them," she said. "We were the ones that reported it. It's one of those things."

Roberts said the sagging economy and the fallout from the outbreak are forcing her to close the clinic around the end of the month. The clinic's other doctors have left, she said.

"I've served this community for many years. It's the only black mark on my reputation," she said. "I'm proud of what I've done here."

She said she plans to work at a holistic clinic in Naples.

Richard Martin can be reached at ***@**** or [phone].

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[nobodynew]

i had iv treatments from her in 2003.  her negligence has made me so sick and so broke .... she basically ruined my life.  she actually laughed in my face and told me i must be possessed because her vitamin drips weren't curing me.

how can she still be allowed to practice?  we need a class action lawsuit!  naples is one of the richest places in florida ... she's not going to be hurting ... plus she vacations in spain ... using all of our money.  i hope she rots in hell!

i suppose it would take a death for someone to really hold her accountable.  greatful1 ... keep on keeping your chin up.  you are brave for sticking your chin out there. :)

[greatful1]

Thanks for the support.  Dr. is now filing chapter 13 for protection.  So the odds of getting reimbursed for my treatment and loss of income are getting worse.  Not to mention the pain and suffering.   I went one visit for a second opinion.  Believe me I have beat myself up over and over again for trusting her credentials.  

[FlGuy]

"It's one of those things" says Roberts.  I hope a special place in helll is also one of "those things"

[HectorSF]

Thanks greatful. Please keep us up to date on what happens as it develops...

"Wellness Works". How ironic.

"More than 100 patients who underwent IV treatments at the clinic in the past year were contacted and tested for hepatitis C. In all, 11 tested positive." That is about 10% of patients! What about all the people in previous years???

Does anybody have the email address of the Florida Board of Medicine? We should write them and let them know what it is like to have had hepatitis C. Educate the Board about our illness.

"Roberts said the sagging economy and the fallout from the outbreak are forcing her to close the clinic around the end of the month. The clinic's other doctors have left, she said."
Good but...they they all will go somewhere else under a new name and continue to con people.

Why aren't these people put out of business permanently? We should demand to have her licensed revoked. The "Wellness Center" should also pay the medical cost for all the people they gave hepatitis C to plus "pain and suffering'. Plus find everyone who has had any blood treatment at the center for the history of its existence. I wonder many more are infected who don't know it since 2 people just happen to have had symptoms of acute hepatitis? As we all know, in the vast majority of cases HCV is asymptomatic.

If these facts as reported appear to be true we hepers should be the first to find "Dr." Carol Roberts new facility in Naples and protest until it shuts down and her license is revoked. We could also use it as a time to had out real information about HCV and the treatments available. To have someone in the community who has infected at least 11 people and is continuing to practice is criminal. What, do they have to kill someone before something is done?

Hector

[CaughtOffGuard]

I'm glad I don't live in Florida!  LOL