Chaperones may offer one solution to sexual abuse of patients by medical providers

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The Tribune recently exposed how several large Illinois health systems allowed health care workers accused of sexually abusing patients to continue working. Some medical experts and survivors of se…

Cheryl Stevenson, center, a licensed practical nurse and chaperone, watches as Dr. Hepsi Kalapala, right, examines Quying Holmes at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in October.

“As a chaperone, we have to ensure patient and provider comfort — for safety, privacy and dignity,” said Hill, who serves in that role in addition to her regular duties. “I would like to see rules put in place where this can’t occur to any other women,” said Victoria, one of the women who has sued Ortega and Endeavor, alleging the doctor sexually assaulted her during an exam in 2017. The Tribune is using a pseudonym for Victoria because the Tribune generally does not identify survivors of sexual abuse or assault without their permission.

In a separate statement, Endeavor said it had “enhanced and evolved” its processes and policies to support the reporting of abuse allegations in the years since Ortega worked for the organization. “We have absolutely no tolerance for abuse of any kind,” Endeavor said.In the past, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended that chaperones be used when patients or doctors requested them.

Licensed practical nurse Tearha Hill, right, takes the vitals of Yolanda Jones at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. Hill serves as a chaperone in addition to her regular duties. In the absence of criminal charges and a state-issued chaperone order, it’s up to individual health systems in Illinois to decide whether to offer chaperones, and their practices vary.

The American Medical Association recommends that physicians have chaperones available to patients upon request and make sure patients are aware of the option. Dr. Christine Ko, a dermatologist and professor at Yale University in Connecticut, said she was not allowed to refuse a chaperone when she went to Yale Health for a gynecology appointment in 2022. Yale Health requires chaperones at all sensitive appointments, including those involving breasts and genitals.

In addition, Ko said the hierarchical nature of medicine makes it hard for her to imagine a chaperone calling out a physician for inappropriate behavior in the middle of an exam. The state agency restored Albazzaz’s license to probationary status in 2008 and has required him to work with a female attendant when treating female patients ever since, according to state records.

 

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