New York Cites Hospital in Surgical-Scheduling Error

A Long Island hospital has been slapped with 14 violations from New York’s health department.

Officials say the violations stemmed from a neurosurgeon’s refusal to step in and perform brain surgery for a colleague who had gone out of town. They could bring fines of $2,000 for each infraction.

The hospital suspended both surgeons and one of them later retired. The patient later had the surgery.

North Shore spokesman Terry Lynam says the hospital disagrees with some of the findings. He said it has since addressed what he called a breakdown in communication.

The hospital has until Oct. 2 to give the state a plan of correction.