Teen-Ager Accused of Impersonating Hospital Doctor

[William Knowles <wk () C4I ORG>]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAEWK1VSGC.html

By Candace Smith
Associated Press Writer
Dec 16, 2000

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) - A teen-ager, aspiring to be a doctor, allegedly
gave medical directions to nurses and prescribed medication and minor
medical procedures for patients without being challenged, officials at
a suburban Washington hospital disclosed Friday.

Officials at Inova Fairfax Hospital said at a news conference that the
17-year-old high school student is being investigated for allegedly
impersonating a physician. No charges have been filed.

Using a hospital pager, the teen-ager allegedly intercepted from home
telephone messages intended for one of the hospital's doctors. He then
is accused of calling in medical prescriptions and even ordering minor
medical procedures for the patients at the hospital, Inova Fairfax,
officials said.

Dr. Russell Seneca, chief of surgery, said no one was injured or
harmed as a result of the youngster's actions and that his orders -
surprisingly to some of the doctors - "were appropriate for the
circumstances."

In all, the teen-ager called in medical directives - including
ordering blood tests and direction that oxygen to be administered -
for 12 patients during the Dec. 7-8 overnight shift at the hospital.

Janice Moore, a hospital spokeswoman, said that all of the dozen
directives were carried out by hospital personnel, except for the last
one when officials became suspicious.

"This individual allegedly spoke with nurses and gave medical orders"
over the telephone, hospital administrator Steve Brown said, adding
that the youth's voice and manner appeared to raise no suspicion from
nurses.

Hospital staff only became suspicious when a doctor noticed the
resident physician whom teen-ager allegedly was impersonating over the
phone on the night of Dec. 7 actually was not on call at the time.

Hospital officials said they are not sure whether similar
impersonations might have occurred before Dec. 7, or how many patients
might have been affected.

Hospital officials said the teen-ager had worked as a volunteer at
Inova Alexandria Hospital in nearby Alexandria, Va., before being
hired there in June as a part-time secretary. They said he had not
worked at the Fairfax hospital.

Police, searching the home of the teen-ager's family this week, seized
a variety of items including hospital scrubs, a pager, prescription
pad and a white laboratory coat, according to court papers.

The Washington Post quoted James C. Clark, a lawyer for the boy's
family, as saying the teen-ager understands the seriousness of the
allegations and is cooperating with police. Clark said the boy
"categorically denies in any way manipulating the phone or paging
systems of the hospital."

"We were and still are very surprised and concerned by the situation,"
said Brown. "This has never happened here before."

Fairfax hospital officials said they have added security measures to
prevent similar incidents. They would not describe the measures.



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