SASKATOON — An Estevan physician has been found guilty of nine charges by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan's (CPSS) discipline hearing committee.
In a message on its website and in a 48-page report, the college said Dr. Mehdi Horri was convicted of the charges, which were among 14 that were posted to the CPSS website in January 2024. With one exception, the college said the charges occurred from July to December 2022, after complaints by three female patients.
According to the CPSS, he was found to have failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession by not obtaining sufficient informed consent for a surgical procedure (Charge 3).
Horri was also found guilty of three charges of breaching his undertaking not to see female patients without a chaperone (Charges 5, 8 and 14). Three more charges were for making changes to patients’ medical records after becoming aware they had filed complaints with the college (Changes 6, 9 and 11).
The committee also found Horri guilty of unprofessional conduct for telling a potential witness to the college investigation that it was not the time to think about integrity during her communications with the college (Charge 12). Finally, Horri was found guilty of a charge of unprofessional conduct for failing to maintain appropriate medical records for two patients (Charge 13).
Horri was found not guilty of three charges:
- Charge 1, performing a surgical procedure that did not maintain the standard of practice of the profession;
- Charge 2, performing a surgical procedure that did not maintain the standard of practice of the profession; and
- Charge 10, inappropriate touch/comments regarding a female patient.
One charge was withdrawn for performing a rectal examination that was not medically indicated, and the college did not seek a finding of guilt on a charge that he did not provide adequate postoperative instructions and timely postoperative care, and/or therefore did not maintain the standard of practice of the profession.
The disciplinary hearing was held in late March and early April in Saskatoon. A penalty hearing is expected to take place in September.
According to the CPSS website, Horri's status is listed as on the registrar, but he still has practice restrictions. He is currently not to have any professional encounter or portion thereof with female patients. He may only practice in a clinic seeing patients by appointment or on a walk-in basis, and he has agreed not to perform any invasive procedures (anything requiring a scalpel or stitches).
The CPSS website says he also still has two charges before the committee for breaching an undertaking.
