Doctor disciplined after patient dies

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- An East Greenwich doctor has been reprimanded and placed on probation after the Rhode Island Department of Health determined he should have more vigorously treated a patient who died days later.

A consent order released Monday says Dr. Joseph Turner "overlooked important clinical findings" when a 56-year-old patient visited the emergency room at Fatima Hospital in March 2009 complaining of severe pain following gallbladder removal surgery. The patient was discharged and died three days later.

The order says Turner, the ER attending physician, and the patient's surgeon should have ordered an abdominal CT scan, done more vigorous treatment and admitted him to the hospital.

A message was left for Turner at his medical office. Dr. James McDonald, head of the state Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, told The Associated Press an investigation into the surgeon's conduct is ongoing. He said Turner has not been disciplined before.

The probation is for five years.