A Mecklenberg County physician who treats hundreds of patients with Lyme disease will no longer have free reign over how he diagnoses and treats the disease, the N.C. Medical Board decided today.
Certain patients of Dr. Joseph G. Jemsek, who the board found guilty of unprofessional conduct last month because of his unorthodox methods, would have to seek second opinions under conditions set by the board. And Jemsek, who often prescribes months or even years of antibiotics to Lyme patients, would no longer be able to prescribe intravenous antibiotics for more than two months, unless it is administered as part of a research study.
The conditions represent the second half of Jemsek's punishment. Last month's hearing concluded with the board suspending his medical license for one year, but with an immediate stay that will allow him to continue seeing patients during the disciplinary period.
Jemsek did not know until today what specific restrictions might be placed on his Jemsek Clinic in Huntersville. Neither did the hundreds of patients who say he has restored them to health, nor the handful of patients who say they got worse under Jemsek's care or were harmed by his treatments.
``We'll deal with this -- we're very resilient'' Jemsek said in an interview shortly after board listed its conditions. A few patients who came to the Raleigh meeting to show support hugged him as he left the medical board's offices.
``We're going to try to live with the rules we've been given and do the best we can to help our patients,'' Jemsek said.
Heather Jenkins of Huntersville, one of 10 patients who testified against Jemsek during last month's hearing, considers the restrictions on Jemsek a victory and hopes they will protect patients. She developed five infections, including a severe one that put her in the hospital, while receiving IV antibiotics under Jemsek's care.
``The whole reason I wrote to the medical board is because I was concerned for others,'' said Jenkins, who attended Thursday's medical board meeting.
Staff writer Jean P. Fisher can be reached at 829-4753 or [email protected]
Jean P. Fisher
-------------------- Stella Marie Posts: 694 | From US | Registered: Apr 2005
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-------------------- Stella Marie Posts: 694 | From US | Registered: Apr 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Stella, there are so many NEW folks here who do NOT know who Jemsek is, let more that he's a GOOD LLMD from NC.
So could you edit/pencil icon your topic line & include a little more info please:
Dr. Jemsek's lyme treatment RESTRICTIONS from NC Health Dept.
Now, they'll know this post is something they really SHOULD read.
Thanks so much for posting this; I checked here last night but didn't see anything in between my pc freezing up & shutting down. Bettyg
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northstar
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7911
posted
From the Charlotte paper:
Board sets limits on Jemsek's work State panel requires consent, 2nd opinions KAREN GARLOCH [email protected]
The N.C. Medical Board imposed restrictions Thursday on the practice of Dr. Joseph Jemsek because of his unorthodox diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.
Last month, the board suspended Jemsek's license, but stayed the suspension, allowing him to continue seeing patients in his Huntersville clinic.
Several witnesses testified that he misdiagnosed them with the tick-borne illness and treated them with intravenous antibiotics for many months without telling them the treatment exceeded the standard.
The board imposed four conditions on Jemsek's practice.
*�Patients must sign informed consent forms explaining that Jemsek's treatment differs from that of most N.C. doctors.
*�If a diagnosis of Lyme disease isn't supported by tests that meet the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, a patient must get a second opinion from an N.C. doctor approved by the board president. The patient would be free to decide which treatment to pursue.
*�Treatment with antibiotics for longer than two months must be part of a research project approved by the board and monitored by appropriate authorities.
*�Any complications of treatment must be addressed immediately.
Jemsek said he felt optimistic about the board's ruling.
"It's obviously not ideal, but I think it shows the board is working with me in trying to protect patient interests and still see that medical care is carried out," he said.
shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
I think these restrictions are quite reasonable under the circumstances. They could have been a lot worse.
I wanted to clarify: he is prevented from prescribing IV antibiotics for more than 2 months, or antibiotics in general? The 2 articles disagree. I'm guessing it's IV that's restricted, and the Charlotte paper just missed that distinction.
Bravo that Jemsek will still be allowed to treat, and perhaps he will confer with his fellow ILADS docs to find more ways to effectively treat with orals and injections.
Now, hope everyone in the Carolinas will call the medical board's attention to the many doctors who do NOT mention that there are 2 standards of care, ILADS' and theirs....
Regards, Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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5dana8
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Member # 7935
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