State withdraws allegation against Tri-Cities doctor in patient’s death
A state medical board withdrew allegations of unprofessional conduct against a Tri-Cities doctor after he completed relevant coursework.
The Washington state Department of Health announced this week that charges against Dr. Jared Guenter Wolfert were withdrawn.
State health documents from November 2021 claimed Wolfert, an osteopathic physician and surgeon, did not test for heart problems in a 58-year-old man who came to a Tri-Cities emergency department in 2018 and died days later of cardiac arrest.
His lawyer, Peter Ritchie of Yakima, told the Tri-City Herald in February that they disputed the allegations.
This new decision by the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery was made in September “based on further review of the matter,” and signed off in October by an assistant state attorney general.
The order for withdrawal says the action was taken “without prejudice,” which means the matter is not permanently closed and can be re-addressed in the future.
Ritchie could not be reached by the Herald about the updated status of his client’s case.
An online provider search shows that Wolfert’s license is active.
Wolfert had agreed to complete two full-day courses or 16 hours of continuing education on “recognizing acute coronary syndrome; emergent management of chest pain; and cardio thoracic emergency,” according to a stipulation to informal disposition.
In entering that agreement, Wolfert did not admit any finding of unprofessional conduct or inability to practice.
Wolfert was sent a letter Oct. 20 saying he’s been released from the requirements of the stipulation after having completed the coursework.
“You have complied with the terms of the agreement,” wrote Brian York, compliance manager with the Office of Investigative and Legal Services. “We wish you well in the future.”
Patient death
The allegations brought one year ago by the state board said that in mid-November 2018, a man was brought to Kadlec by ambulance with back pain, unusual sweating and near loss of consciousness.
The man reported two similar episodes in the prior week, and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, and high blood pressure and had smoked for 30 years, according to the state.
Wolfert at the time was employed at Kadlec Regional Medical Center through a contract with Team Health, which provides emergency room physicians and other medical professionals to health care facilities across the nation.
Wolfert discharged the man from the emergency room with an anti-inflammatory prescription and a muscle relaxant prescription for back pain, the state said.
Shortly after the patient was released from the emergency room he went into cardiac arrest and died two days later.
Wolfert has been licensed to practice medicine in Washington state since 2010.