New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners Suspends License of Essex County Pediatrician for Unsanitary Office Conditions
TRENTON – The Attorney General's Office has filed a complaint seeking the temporary suspension of the medical license of Dr. Emmanuel J. Francois, an Irvington pediatrician, after finding unsanitary conditions at his pediatric practice located at 41 Washington Avenue in Irvington. Pending a hearing on those charges, the doctor has agreed to a temporary suspension effective immediately.
Dr. Francois has been a participant in the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. In June 2016, VFC conducted a routine compliance inspection of the pediatrician's practice in Irvington. The compliance inspection found "extreme uncleanliness of office, improper disposal of bio hazardous materials" and problems in "storage and handling of vaccines."
Subsequently, the DOH in conjunction with the Division of Consumer Affairs Enforcement Bureau conducted a joint inspection of Dr. Francois's practice.
The joint investigation revealed additional violations including that the doctor allegedly did not wear protective gloves while treating patients, did not wash his hands or use hand sanitizers before or after each patient visit.
In addition, the joint investigation allegedly revealed vials of blood, not properly labeled, were thrown in drawers with old and new supplies while others were found in plastic bags in a closet, these vials were never processed and analyzed by a laboratory, and used open syringes were found throughout the examination room and in storage rooms. A stool sample found in the refrigerator lacked a note as to the collection date.
"Patient safety is the cornerstone of the physician-patient relationship, and we allege that Dr. Francois did not put the safety of his patients first," said Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino. "We are committed to ensuring that physicians and their facilities comply with all sanitation, hygiene and other patient safety requirements, and will hold accountable any practitioners who fail to do so."
"We allege that Dr. Francois' lack of hygiene, coupled with the unsanitary conditions found throughout his office, cries out that he is incapable of carrying out the duty of a pediatric physician consistent with the public health, safety and welfare," said Division of Consumer Affairs Director Steve Lee. "Faced with these serious allegations against Dr. Francois, the Board acted appropriately to make certain that patients are not put in harm's way."
Dr. Francois's patients range in age from newborns to 18 years old. Approximately 90 percent of his patients are Medicaid patients.
CONSUMER ALERT
Effective August 25, 2016, Emmanuel J. Francois, M.D. has been suspended from practicing medicine.
If your child has received treatment by Dr. Francois in the last six months, and you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 973-504-6240. Also please contact the above number if you need assistance obtaining your patient records from Dr. Francois.
Patients who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse can file an
online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its
website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504- 6200.
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