Dallas Morning News Patient Safety Investigations and Special Reports

Dr. Sabatino Bianco operates at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital. The chains’s chief clinical officer attributes its record to a focus on getting “the basics” right.

How safe is your hospital? Chance of serious complications varies widely

The chance you will suffer a serious, preventable complication varies dramatically based on where in Texas you’re hospitalized, a Dallas Morning News analysis shows.

Atef-Zafarmand's medical office advertising remains online. "Strict compliance to medical ethics is a top priority," he says on one website.

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State: Doctor suspended over sexual abuse allegations engaging in 'witness intimidation'

Legal problems are multiplying for Dr. Alireza Atef-Zafarmand, a Dallas doctor whom regulators have suspended because of sexual abuse allegations.

The former Renaissance Hospital Terrell was part of a chain owned by Dr. Tariq Mahmood. Congress is demanding answers from federal health officials about preventing fraud after Mahmood and his chain fleeced an economic stimulus program for $18 million in grants under the guise of enhancing records systems.

Congress demands answers on health care fraud following Texas hospital chain scandal

A panel has set a March 12 deadline for federal health officials to report steps they are taking to prevent fraud after a Texas hospital chain allegedly fleeced an economic stimulus program for $18 million.

Some of Dr. Tariq Mahmood’s hospitals, including Renaissance in Terrell, were shut down last year after a Dallas Morning News investigation and increased government scrutiny. Some of his other facilities were transferred to new operators.

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Texas hospitals chief faces fraud charges over use of stimulus grants

The charges follow a report by The Dallas Morning News exposing potential mismanagement of stimulus funds by the hospitals and the federal agency that awards them.

Mahmood's hospitals pulled down nearly $18 million in stimulus funds to switch to electronic medical records, but most documentation remained in crude paper form.

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Federal grand jury indicts another officer of troubled Texas hospital chain on fraud charges

Joe White of Cameron, Texas, rose from maintenance man to manager of facilities for Dr. Tariq Mahmood's now-collapsed Texas hospital chain.

A federal lawsuit filed against Baylor Health Care System claims that Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano (pictured) didn't seek Dr. Christopher Duntsch's resignation amid months of botched spinal treatments until one of his patients died in March 2012.

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Lawsuit: Baylor failed to stop surgeon accused of alcohol, cocaine abuse from harming patients

The suit accuses Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano of failing to properly monitor or investigate Dr. Christopher Duntsch.

Parkland Memorial was hit with three fines in 2013

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State health enforcers hit Dallas-area hospitals with most - and biggest - fines in 2013

Dallas area hospitals drew the most fines from Texas state health enforcers last year. The most frequent bullseye: Parkland Memorial Hospital.

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Report card: Texas bombs national health care test for emergency services

Texas is again sinking to the bottom of the barrel on a national health care measure.

The name has been stripped from Dr. Tariq Mahmood's now-closed Renaissance Hospital Terrell.

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Doctor behind troubled hospitals faces additional charges

Authorities say he directed staff at his Central Texas Hospital in Cameron to change diagnostic codes on billing claims from other facilities.

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Medical board revokes license of Plano neurosurgeon labeled 'continuing threat'

The Texas Medical Board found that Christopher Daniel Duntsch violated care standards in the treatment of six patients, including two who died.

How safe is your hospital? Chance of serious complications varies widely

State: Doctor suspended over sexual abuse allegations engaging in 'witness intimidation'

Congress demands answers on health care fraud following Texas hospital chain scandal

Texas hospitals chief faces fraud charges over use of stimulus grants

Federal grand jury indicts another officer of troubled Texas hospital chain on fraud charges

Lawsuit: Baylor failed to stop surgeon accused of alcohol, cocaine abuse from harming patients

State health enforcers hit Dallas-area hospitals with most - and biggest - fines in 2013

Report card: Texas bombs national health care test for emergency services

Doctor behind troubled hospitals faces additional charges

Medical board revokes license of Plano neurosurgeon labeled 'continuing threat'

Monitors' report on safety at Parkland

Parkland memo outlines improvements to the psych ER

Medicare regulators' follow-up inspection report on Parkland

Parkland final termination letter from federal regulators

U.S. Attorney's statement on billing fraud settlement with UTSW

Editorial: You might not choose Parkland, but it’s still your problem

Floyd: Bad publicity might be the right medicine for Parkland Memorial Hospital

Editorial: You paid for Parkland report, but you can’t see it?

Editorial: Public trust demands Parkland come clean on consultants’ report

Editorial: Psychiatric workers need better training

First, do no harm