An anesthesiologist whose license was restricted in California had previously been disciplined in Massachusetts for allegedly falling asleep while performing surgery and inhaling gas, the OC Weekly reports.
1. Thomas Hwei Ho, MD, had his medical license restricted by The Medical Board of California June 8. The board's order did not detail the circumstances leading to the restriction.
However, it does states he must abstain from alcohol and controlled substances, undergo drug testing, attend substance abuse support group meetings, visit a psychiatrist or psychologist and have a substance abuse work site monitor.
2. On July 25, 2007, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine revoked Dr. Ho's license after he allegedly fell asleep while performing a surgery and later inhaled anesthetic gas while on lunch break.
3. The Boston Globe reported both incidents occurred in 2005 at Children's Hospital Boston, where Dr. Ho was a resident. According to the report, Dr. Ho allegedly took a prescription drug that caused him to doze off while he was the only anesthesiologist in the operating room. A Children's Hospital spokesperson told the reporter nobody was harmed in either incident.
4. The report said Dr. Ho could apply for a new license if he was continuously sober for at least 15 months and complied with a chemical dependency monitoring contract.
5. The California medical board has required Dr. Ho to disclose the status of his medical license to hospitals and clinics where he has privileges. In a statement, the board suggested his case is being investigated.
"In general terms, if during the course of an investigation the investigator uncovers evidence suggesting that allowing the doctor to practice would put the public in danger, then the board can petition OAH [Office of Administrative Hearings] for an interim suspension order," Medical Board of California Public Information Officer Carlos Villatoro said in a statement to the Weekly.