The chief of cardiac surgery at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, Calif., along with a cardiologist and medical administrative assistant in the cardiology department, have filed suit against the hospital and several hospital leaders claiming workplace discrimination after they spoke out about "substandard care" at the facility, according to a Mercury News report.
The suit claims that more than one patient died at the hospital due to substandard care. Specifically, the suit mentions one patient who died from cardiac arrest after undergoing a stress test, which Geeta Signh, MD, the cardiologist who filed the suit, said he advised against. The suit also describes the death of another patient after his surgery was delayed by the hospital, even though Kai Ihnken, MD, the cardiothoracic surgery chief, advised it needed to occur "sooner rather than later," according to the report.
The suit claims the three experienced retaliation by being ignored, embarrassed and verbally abused after filing complaints with The Joint Commission in response to the incidents.
The suit further alleged inappropriate sexual jokes and misanthropy at the hospital.
The hospital denied any negligence or discrimination.
Read the Mercury News report on Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.
Read more coverage on Santa Clara Valley Medical Center:
- Consultants to Run Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in California After Key Executives Leave
- Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System CEO Resigns, Reportedly Over Budget Cuts
The suit claims that more than one patient died at the hospital due to substandard care. Specifically, the suit mentions one patient who died from cardiac arrest after undergoing a stress test, which Geeta Signh, MD, the cardiologist who filed the suit, said he advised against. The suit also describes the death of another patient after his surgery was delayed by the hospital, even though Kai Ihnken, MD, the cardiothoracic surgery chief, advised it needed to occur "sooner rather than later," according to the report.
The suit claims the three experienced retaliation by being ignored, embarrassed and verbally abused after filing complaints with The Joint Commission in response to the incidents.
The suit further alleged inappropriate sexual jokes and misanthropy at the hospital.
The hospital denied any negligence or discrimination.
Read the Mercury News report on Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.
Read more coverage on Santa Clara Valley Medical Center:
- Consultants to Run Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in California After Key Executives Leave
- Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System CEO Resigns, Reportedly Over Budget Cuts