Doc Gets Slap On The Wrist For Unauthorized Sterilization

Last year, Dr. Shirolyn Ruth Moffett delivered a baby by Cesarean to a woman in Berryville, Arkansas. I know you’re probably thinking, “Big whoop!” But the shocker is that Dr. Moffett decided to perform a tubal ligation at the same time without the woman’s permission. Dr. Moffett claims she feared the woman’s uterus would burst if she became pregnant again. Not only did the doctor not have authorization, but she didn’t tell the woman after the procedure and made no notation in the woman’s medical chart. Officials at St. John’s hospital, where the procedure took place, stopped Dr. Moffett from seeing any patients after they became aware of the situation. But regulators at the Arkansas State Medical Board feel a reprimand is more appropriate for the offense and voted last week to allow Dr. Moffett to keep her medical license. “I know now that [it] was a mistake,” she told the Medical Board. “I had not made this kind of error my whole medical career. I was appalled.” Officials at St. John’s issued a release expressing surprise at the Medical Board’s decision. And I have to say I’m equally as appalled. I would think performing a tubal ligation without permission would be enough cause for revoking a medical license, but the fact that Dr. Moffett tried to keep it a secret makes the situation that much worst. [Parent Dish]