EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 A doctor who works in emergency medicine is accused of inappropriately touching a patient at University Medical Center, according to a criminal complaint affidavit. <\/p>\n
Edward Allen Michelson is accused of indecent assault by a health care or mental health services provider in connection with an Aug. 28 incident at UMC, court records show.<\/p>\n
According to the affidavit, a 57-year-old woman was taken to the hospital after suffering an epileptic episode. The woman told deputies she was in and out of consciousness when Michelson allegedly lifted her hospital gown and touched her private area without her consent.<\/p>\n
The woman told investigators she questioned the doctor in Spanish, asking why he was doing that and saying it had nothing to do with epilepsy, the affidavit states. She told deputies she felt scared and unsafe and wanted to pursue criminal charges.<\/p>\n
The woman\u2019s family members told deputies she reported the alleged inappropriate touching shortly after it happened. Her son confronted Michelson, who denied touching her private area and said he had only touched her abdominal area, according to the affidavit. <\/p>\n
Investigators reviewed hospital surveillance video from inside and outside the trauma room. The affidavit alleges video showed Michelson entering the room alone, moving an examination light in a way that appeared to obstruct the camera\u2019s view, lifting the patient\u2019s gown near her private area and placing his hands beneath a blanket covering her lower body.<\/p>\n
The affidavit states Michelson did not appear to be wearing medical gloves during the incident. <\/p>\n
UMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Victor Waters told investigators that treating a patient experiencing a seizure generally involves administering anti-seizure medication and oxygen. Waters said there would be no reason to examine a patient\u2019s private area unless a physician believed the patient had traumatic injuries and was conducting a trauma screening, according to the affidavit.<\/p>\n
University Medical Center previously said Michelson is a contracted medical provider, not a UMC employee, and that he was suspended from the hospital pending internal and third-party investigations. The hospital said it is cooperating with outside agencies.<\/p>\n
UMC provided the following statement:<\/p>\n
The safety and wellbeing of our patients is our highest priority. Any allegations against our healthcare providers are taken seriously.This matter involves a contracted medical provider who is not an employee of UMC. Pending internal and third-party investigations, UMC took swift action to suspend this medical provider from the hospital. UMC is fully cooperating with and assisting in the investigation conducted by outside agencies.<\/p>\n
According to jail records, Michaelson was arrested on Sept. 30 and charged with indecent assault health\/mental provider. He posted bond the same day.<\/p>\n
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso provided the following statement:<\/p>\n
TTUHSC El Paso is aware of the charge involving Dr. Edward Michelson. Dr. Michelson has been suspended from his university duties.Because this is an ongoing personnel and legal matter, the university will not comment further at this time.<\/p>\n
His medical license is still currently active. His Temporary Faculty License was terminated in 2017. <\/p>\n
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