An OB-GYN who is the president-elect of the New Mexico Medical Society has had his license suspended by the state's medical board for several alleged offenses, including drinking on the job, having sexual relations with patients and leaving a birthing mother unattended while having sex with another patient.
The license of Dr. Christopher Driskill, who has practiced at Premier Ob/Gyn, LLC and the Lea Regional Medical Center, both in Hobbs, N.M., was suspended until further notice by the New Mexico Medical Board on Nov. 14, according to a public notice. The board also notified Driskill that it could restrict, revoke or further suspend his license in a final action.
The board accuses Driskill of being under the influence of alcohol while at work and on-call, performing a pelvic examination without a requested chaperone, maintaining inappropriate or inadequate patient records and having sex with several patients, some of whom were employees of Premier or LRMC.
Over the past few years, the board also alleges that Driskill has left several birthing mothers unattended after they were admitted and despite being summoned by nursing staff. In one instance, an emergency cesarean-section operation was delayed because Driskill was late to arrive to LRMC, according to board documents.
Driskill couldn't be reached for comment at his home Wednesday. The New Mexico Medical Society did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday, but Randy Marshall, the society's executive director, told the Albuquerque Journal that the society is declining to comment until a hearing has taken place.
“There needs to be due process,” he told the Journal.
Driskill's alleged misconduct violates at least nine provisions of the state's Medical Practice Act, the board notes. He was fired by Premier on Aug. 11 for the actions described, but the practice did notify LRMC until Aug. 21, 10 days later. To avoid formal disciplinary action by the hospital, the board notes that he immediately requested and received a “temporary leave of absence.”
LRMC said in a statement that Driskill was an independent physician and was never employed by the hospital. He no longer practices at the facility, according to the statement.
“We take responsibility for patient safety very seriously,” the hospital said. “Our medical staff by-laws establish standards of behavior that support the delivery of quality care and a safe environment for patients and employees.”
A Premier Ob/Gyn representative responsible for answering press inquiries was out of the office Wednesday, an employee said.
As is his right, Driskill has requested an appeal hearing on the immediate suspension, Hart said. State law requires the board to hear his appeal within 15 days, though his attorney has waived that requirement. The hearing will take place Dec. 15 and 16. Hart said another hearing will take place regarding final action in the case.
Following the suspension hearing, the board does have the option of allowing him to go back to practicing medicine with restrictions before the board makes a final decision.
Lynn Hart, executive director of the New Mexico Medical Board, said the board doesn't comment on specific cases, but noted that immediately suspending a doctor isn't common—the board has to feel that the doctor poses an immediate harm to patients.
“It is not used regularly,” Hart said. “It's not meant to be used all the time. The board has to feel that it needs to know what's going on in order to make sure and assure the public that the doctor is safe.”
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