Johnny Delashaw, MD, the chairman of neurosurgery at Swedish Neuroscience Institute in Seattle, is the second high-ranking Swedish official to step down after a Seattle Times report prompted state regulators to investigate patient care practices at SNI.
According to the Seattle Times, Dr. Delashaw resigned and will no longer practice at the Seattle-based health system.
Anthony Armada also resigned from his role as CEO of Swedish Health Services in the wake of the Seattle Times report.
In a memo to staff, interim CEO R. Guy Hudson, MD, wrote, "I will be working immediately with our physicians and leadership at SNI on next steps during this transition. As a team, we are firmly committed to supporting our patients and caregivers and are focused on what is most important: safe, compassionate and high-quality care," according to the report.
Dr. Delashaw joined Swedish in 2013 and was chosen "because of his strong record of providing excellent care to his patients," according to a Feb. 10 statement from then-CEO Mr. Armada.
However, the Seattle Times investigation, published Feb. 10, uncovered colleague complaints about Dr. Delashaw's patient care and behavior and said the physician pushed for high patient volume, in addition to other findings. In a statement provided to the Times, Dr. Delashaw said SNI had undergone "remarkable growth" and a culture change since he joined. "Not all individuals working at Swedish wanted the culture to change. Some have become disgruntled and some of these healthcare providers have left," the statement reads.
Dr. Delashaw did not reply to the Seattle Times' most recent request for comment.
Swedish Health Services confirmed to Becker's that Dr. Delashaw did decide to resign, but a spokesperson had no more to add.