Deadly Doctors: How Medical Malpractice Thrives in Secrecy

There are hidden dangers lurking in our healthcare system. The chilling reality is medical malpractice thrives in secrecy. What happens when deadly doctors are allowed to keep practicing, despite warning signs, malpractice claims, and even criminal behavior?

The story we’re exploring today is one that played out in Dallas, Texas, but it could just as easily happen anywhere. Patients at a surgical center kept suffering near-fatal emergencies. At first, the incidents seemed like bad luck—an unexplained spike in medical complications. But then, investigators uncovered something sinister. The cause wasn’t faulty equipment or a rare medical anomaly. It was a doctor.

And here’s the most disturbing part—this doctor had a long history of misconduct. He had a violent past, had been reprimanded for previous incidents, and still, he was allowed to continue practicing. Even when red flags appeared, the medical system protected him.

How do bad doctors like this slip through the cracks? Why do medical boards shield physicians from scrutiny instead of protecting patients? Why are investigations kept in the dark? And most importantly—how can you protect yourself and your loved ones?

Here is a brief glimpse at how medical malpractice investigations work, the shocking lack of transparency, and what needs to change to keep dangerous doctors out of operating rooms.

The Case That Shocked Texas

Around 2022, the North Dallas Surgicare center began experiencing unexplained patient emergencies during surgery, providers falling mysteriously ill, and sudden death episodes. After numerous incidents and deaths, an investigation revealed unusually high blood levels of a nerve-block medication (bupivacaine). It turns out the IV bags at the center were “contaminated” with bupivacaine, lidocaine, and epinephrine. Someone was tampering with the IV bags. It turns out that someone was an anesthesiologist practicing at the center, Dr. Raynaldo Ortiz.

This charming anesthesiologist had a disturbing history of anger control problems, violence against women, shooting a dog, and multiple cases of substandard medical care.

The Larger Problem: Why Bad Doctors Keep Practicing

Medical boards are slow to act, often protecting doctors instead of patients. Focusing on “rehabilitative potential and value to the community,” rather than the danger to patients (past and future), is one way the medical boards avoid revoking a dangerous provider’s license.

Many hospitals choose to let problematic doctors quietly resign instead of reporting them. They might fear being sued by a vengeful provider or want to avoid the perception that they turn against their providers. Either way,  hospitals pressure dangerous providers to leave quietly without reporting to any government agencies. Indeed, frequent change of location can be a tell-tale sign of a dangerous doctor.

The National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) is a governmental agency that promotes quality health care and deters fraud and abuse. However, it is not public. Only hospitals and medical boards have access to it. This keeps dangerous histories hidden from patients.

The Culture of Silence in Medicine

Colleagues are hesitant to report bad doctors. The psychology behind this stems from either the belief that it’s not their role to point out dangerous providers, the fear of retaliation or legal trouble, or concern of how coworkers will view them. Indeed, it is impossible to get a local medical provider to testify against a local defendant doctor in a medical malpractice case; they would rather circle the wagons and not create waves.

Additionally, many doctors see mistakes and complications as part of medicine, making it harder to recognize outright malpractice or criminal intent. This is compounded by the “good surgeon, bad person” dilemma—should personal misbehavior impact a doctor’s ability to professionally practice medicine.

The Loopholes in Medical Discipline

State medical boards vary wildly in how they discipline doctors. Many states don’t even investigate complaints unless they come from within the medical community. Most won’t investigate complaints while they are the subject of a malpractice lawsuit and refuse to investigate if the lawsuit ends in a defense verdict.

The medical system prioritizes protecting doctors from lawsuits rather than prioritizing patient safety. Many hospitals and medical boards fear legal repercussions or losing doctors, so they handle problems quietly instead of taking strong disciplinary action. Confidential settlements and “nuisance payments” allow hospitals to sweep malpractice cases under the rug and allow doctors to avoid disclosure of their negligence.

How Patients Can Protect Themselves

Research your doctor using DocInfo.org, check state medical board websites, and look for any news reports about malpractice claims. If possible, ask for recommendations from trusted medical professionals and lawyers.

It is a matter of digging for as much information as you can. Websites like DocInfo and state medical boards allow you to conduct a limited background check. Look at patient reviews online. You can also file a Public Records request with the state medical board to get information about a physician.

Long term, you might want to push your legislative representatives for new laws to increase transparency and focus on patient safety.

Final Thoughts

The system is designed to protect doctors, not patients. Transparency is lacking, and hospitals often prioritize reputation and profits over safety. Protect yourself by calling for better laws, checking your doctor’s background, and sharing your experiences to help others. Ultimately, if a healthcare provider’s negligence has catastrophically injured you or a family member, you should contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney to explore your legal options.

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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