discipline summaries
charts were deficient in documentation, in 12 charts
Dr. Z was unable to determine if the standard of care
was met due to documentation deficiencies, and seven
charts had significant care concerns. The standard of
care was met in five charts and partially met in two
charts. Dr. Savic failed to maintain the standard of
practice of the profession in his care and treatment of
patients as identified by Dr. Z in his report.
In his reports to the College, clinical supervisor Dr.
Y has reported that Dr. Savic now meets the standard
of care, including with respect to documentation in
charts.
Dr. Savic placed himself in a conflict of interest
when he ordered diagnostic testing for some of his
patients, to be performed at his clinic, and failed to
disclose his proprietary interest. As of March 1, 2013,
Dr. Savic voluntarily ceased performing diagnostic
testing at his clinic in circumstances where he had a
conflict of interest. Dr. Savic also signed an undertaking dated November 6, 2013, in which he agreed not
to conduct or interpret echocardiograms or exercise
stress tests, nor to permit his patients to undergo such
testing at facilities owned by Dr. Savic or his family.
The College and Dr. Savic agreed to facts relevant
to the issue of penalty. In 2007, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee of the College ordered
Dr. Savic to be cautioned in writing regarding the importance of performing and documenting a thorough
physical examination of patients. In 2008, the chief of
a hospital emergency department notified the College
of concerns regarding Dr. Savic’s prescribing practice.
Allegations of professional misconduct were referred
to the Discipline Committee, but were withdrawn
on the basis of an undertaking signed by Dr. Savic
on November 22, 2010, one of the terms of which
was resignation of his narcotics prescribing privileges.
During the course of the investigation that led to the
present discipline proceeding, Dr. Savic made changes
to his practice in response to concerns that were raised
by the investigation, including regarding delegation of
controlled acts to unregistered individuals, prescribing,
and conflict of interest. Y