Morton Plant Hospital reviews and complaints

When I presented to Morton Plant Emergency Room in Clearwater Florida, on march 9th, 2010, classical signs and symptoms of a stroke, I had the utmost confidence I would be helped. At the very least be reassured I was not in any danger of having a serious medical problem, one that could affect my life. I expected to be treated by an experienced emergency room physician, with the highest credentials obtainable, (This was a stroke center) not a Doctor who premeditated a plan to deter a malpractice suit, by not carrying medical malpractice insurance.

One would have to conclude that the blatant disregard with which my health and well being was handled by Dr. Gregory Wayne Smith D.O. and Morton Plant Hospital, that this sort of medical practice was anticipated by him and the Hospital. At no time did I see a poster, letter, nor was I told or given anything to inform me prior to treatment that Dr. Gregory Wayne Smith D.O. did not have Medical Malpractice insurance. How could it be, that our great State of Florida Legislature has put into place laws protecting our communities from such individuals, and practices, exactly why the Legislature obviously thought it was important enough to require Doctors to inform their patients of this, prior to treatment.

For such a flagrant Violation of the Florida Statutes to be occurring within a Hospital that calls itself a stroke center is absurd. Upon reviewing The Baycare Website (Baycare is the corporation that owns Morton Plant Hospital) I Noticed that Baycare’s President-CEO Mr. Stephen R. Mason has put into place an online Quality report card for his institutions, a public -reporting tool that also helps patients become more involved in their healthcare. Well Mr. Stephen R. Mason you / your institution /and Dr. Gregory Wayne Smith D.O. get an (F), for the horrendous treatment I received at your Institution.

This is all about financial gain, what patient would realistically not have concerns about a Doctor who posts a notice in the ER that he doesn’t have medical malpractice insurance, (so If I the Doctor who renders you care, here at Morton plant Hospital screws up with your health, and leaves you crippled and in constant pain, good luck getting some help with a wheelchair van and needed care) every patient made aware would be puzzled/concerned.

This is precisely why the Legislature saw it so important so as to make it Law.

How could this kind of a scam be going on within a hospital corporation, and be left unchecked by BayCare President-CEO Stephen R. Mason, would it not be reasonable to assume that making sure patients receive appropriate medical care in your Emergency Room, would be to have all your Doctors in your Hospital Emergency Room, practicing medicine lawfully and not deceiving patients, and that catastrophic medical events should be the first to be ruled out with any and all patients.

I at no time was given nor did I see posted anywhere in the waiting area or in the Emergency room information disclosing Dr. Gregory Wayne Smith D.O. not having medical malpractice insurance as statute 458.320(F)7 requiresThe licensee must submit biennially to the department certification stating compliance with the provisions of this paragraph. The licensee must, upon request, demonstrate to the department information verifying compliance with this paragraph. A licensee who meets the requirements of this paragraph must post notice in the form of a sign prominently displayed in the reception area and clearly noticeable by all patients or provide a written statement to any person to whom medical services are being provided. The sign or statement must read as follows: “Under Florida law, physicians are generally required to carry medical malpractice insurance or otherwise demonstrate financial responsibility to cover potential claims for medical malpractice. However, certain part-time physicians who meet state requirements are exempt from the financial responsibility law. YOUR DOCTOR MEETS THESE REQUIREMENTS AND HAS DECIDED NOT TO CARRY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE. This notice is provided pursuant to Florida law.”

If I had an opportunity to know what I should have, per statute 458.320(F)7 . I am sure I would have opted to see another physician. Subsequently possibly received adequate medical care.

Several years ago I was confronted by such a statement in a Doctors waiting room, I did not feel comfortable knowing this about the Doctor, and I left immediately, and sought treatment elsewhere, this is exactly what I would have done or requested a different physician. I didn’t have that right during this visit.

I never imagined this being the kind of care I would receive at my community Morton Plant Hospital Stroke center ER. Especially not for a hospital system to be in complete violation along with the Doctor, allowing the Doctor a chance to defraud the public, and prevent them from knowing, that Dr. Gregory Wayne Smith D.O. has prepared himself for poor patient outcomes, so that he may freely practice carelessly, without being held responsible.

Morton Plant Hospital allowed Dr. Gregory Wayne Smith D.O. to deceive/ defraud God only knows how many patients, in their Emergency room, by not allowing the patients an opportunity to know what our Legislators wanted us to know. In my case the outcome was devastating. For Baycare’s President and CEO to allow such flagrant violations to occur, within a community Emergency Room/ Stroke center, unbelievable.

By allowing such behavior, and having unsuspecting patients receive treatment by a Doctor, who is in obvious violation of the Florida Statute, sends a clear message to Dr. Gregory Wayne Smith D.O., and others within their corporation that they may practice medicine with such blatant disregard for public safety, and without any consequences.

There must be penalties in place for such Doctors and institutions which engage in these sort of fraudulent practices, and with such horrific patient outcomes. We should not let anyone else have to pay with their life, as I did. Such Reckless endangerment by a Dr. and Hospital system ought to be handled within the criminal court. As far as I am concerned Both Dr Gregory Wayne Smith D.O. and Mr. Stephen R. Mason President - CEO of Baycare should be put in the same Jail cell, for a long time.

It has been over a year since this occurred, I have been in constant pain, and unable to do anything for myself. Not even do I have an adequate wheelchair, or handicap transportation.

Not once has there been any effort made by Dr. Gregory Wayne Smith D.O. or Mr. Stephen R. Mason of Baycare or anyone else from Baycare /Morton plant Hospital to assist me in anyway, Unbelievable! Such a response by them to a situation like mine, clearly shows the integrity of Baycare Leadership and Dr. Gregory Wayne Smith D.O., they have none.