Florida radiologist fined over alleged brain CT miss
Florida regulators ordered John S. Scales, MD, to pay more than $14,000 and complete training after allegations that he missed abnormalities on a 2019 brain CT scan.
A Florida radiologist has been ordered to pay more than $14,000 and complete additional training after allegedly misreading a brain CT scan in 2019.
The Florida Board of Medicine issued the order May 6 against John Socrates Scales, MD, a radiologist with Radiology Associates of Ocala, according to Ocala-News.
Penalties include a $5,000 fine and $9,015.31 in investigative and prosecution costs. Scales agreed to the settlement, the outlet reported.
The case stems from a July 24, 2019, emergency department visit by a 24-year-old man at AdventHealth Ocala. The patient presented with nausea and an 8-day headache.
A head CT was interpreted as showing no acute intracranial findings, with MRI recommended only if symptoms remained unchanged. State authorities alleged the scan showed missed abnormalities, including signs suggesting possible brain swelling.
The Florida Board of Medicine alleged that failing to identify at least 1 abnormality violated the standard of care. Scales did not admit liability as part of the settlement.
Along with the fine and cost reimbursement, the board issued a formal letter of concern against Scales’ medical license. He must also complete 5 hours of continuing medical education in brain CT interpretation and 5 hours of risk-management training.
A Florida Department of Health profile cited by Ocala-News shows Scales’ medical license is valid through January 2027. The same report noted a prior disciplinary matter from 2016 involving a wrong-site kyphoplasty.
In that earlier case, a state administrative complaint alleged Scales performed kyphoplasty at T11 instead of T12 in a patient with a vertebral compression fracture.
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