Burr Ridge Doctor Suspended Indefinitely: State

BURR RIDGE, IL — A Burr Ridge physician's license was suspended earlier this year after he failed to inform authorities about suspected physical and sexual abuse of a nursing home patient, according to state records.

Eight years ago, the state launched its case against Dr. Emmanuel Paintsil in connection with his treatment of a patient at a Chicago nursing home in 2012. In January, the state Department of Financial and Professional Regulation suspended Paintsil's medical license indefinitely for at least 18 months.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained documents in the department's case about Paintsil. The situation involved a 30-year-old patient at Alden Wentworth nursing home. She could neither speak nor walk.

According to the state, the doctor ignored bruises all over the woman's body. Her mother suspected she was sexually assaulted because of the bruising, records state.

Paintsil ordered herpes and pregnancy tests for the woman, but did not report the suspected abuse, the state said.

However, Paintsil, through his attorney, argued he was not required to report the suspected abuse because he never witnessed it. The mother had already made the allegation of abuse to the state, which investigated it and found no criminal activity, according to the records.

The woman's family sued Paintsil over the same issue, but a jury found in his favor, the documents say. A medical expert testified the woman's progressive neurodegenerative disease and a lack of appropriate nursing care were responsible for her injuries and subsequent death, the according to the records.

The state responded that the outcome of the lawsuit had no bearing on the state's case against Paintsil.

In its order in January, the department said, "(Dr. Paintsil) neglected one of the most important responsibilities to the public he serves as a physician, to care and assist the most vulnerable. The patient in this case had no capacity to offer consent and was essentially defenseless."

Over the years, Paintsil has been the medical director for a number of nursing homes in the Chicago area.

In 2010, Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago denied Paintsil privileges and reappointment to the medical staff. The hospital did so because of his failure to respond to pages in a timely manner, his conduct that could adversely affect patient care, and his conduct perceived as threatening, intimidating or at least disrespectful to other caregivers, public documents state

In 2011, Paintsil sought the renewal of his state doctor's license. The state's form asked the standard question about whether any hospital had restricted, suspended or revoked his privileges. The doctor failed to disclose the Mt. Sinai decision, according to the state.

Paintsil couldn't be reached for immediate comment.