| Complaint: | Complaint 22-23 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Tara-Lyn Temple |
| Premises: | Animal Care Hospital of Phoenix |
The complainant begins by stating that he took his dog to Animal Care Hospital of Phoenix because of a limp; the dog was also given a variety of vaccines that he didn't ask for, then charged him twice before correcting the mistake. He was given no information on side effects, but the dog had one; he had to research the matter online to find out what was going on and then take his dog to the emergency vet.
He goes on to state that despite his better judgment he took his dog back there for surgery to correct the ruptured cruciate ligament that caused the limp. He dropped off the dog and received a call several hours later from Temple; she stated that she started operating on the wrong leg. He relates that Temple explained a staff member thought "RCL" meant "right leg" rather than "ruptured cruciate ligament," and that this error wasn't caught by anyone (including Temple) until she cut into the leg and found out the ligament was still intact. He states that they gave him refunds but it doesn't do anything about the pain, stress, and emotional damage.
Temple's response states that she performed a pre-operative exam and went ahead with anesthesia. She was called away for other matters and then came back after the dog was prepped for surgery; she states that at her hospital she expects the staff to understand medical terminology and review the records, yet when she cut into the leg, she discovered the leg was fine. She directed her surgical technician to check the records and learned that they were operating on the wrong leg.
She states she instantly took responsiblity for the problem and contacted the complainant, who "vacillated from angry to sympathetic" while coming in for his dog's laser treatments. She also followed the dog closely and offered to arrange surgery with one of their ambulatory surgeon partners. An internal investigation was launched that included veterinarian Kristin Kelly and lead veterinary technician Amber Harings, both of whom apparently walked out the door in protest of a dysfunctional work environment in 22-22. She also comes up with an action plan, part of which notes "[a]bbreviations, like RCL, are not universally understood by staff and should be avoided."
The Investigative Committee leads off by stating that Temple offered to have a mobile surgeon come by and do the surgery; the complainant would only have to pay for the surgery itself! It also noted that Temple says the complainant approved the vaccines at the first visit. The rest of the discussion is a bit of a mixed verdict, in that some veterinarians said that it was just a mistake while others felt Temple should be held accountable nonetheless. Concerns were raised about inexperienced staff; they commented that Temple "should surround herself with properly trained personnel."
The Investigative Committee voted three-to-two to find gross negligence in this case, with only veterinarian Amrit Rai (owner-operator of Sugarloaf Animal Hospital) and public member Gregg Maura opposed. Even Steven Dow, a former board member who came back to replace his son Cameron's seat as an investigator (link), thought it was gross negligence. So did Justin McCormick, an equine specialist and investigator whose practice has had several complaints against it thrown out (link). The full board, on the other hand, thought otherwise, rounding it down to a failure to meet professionally acceptable procedures; she was given a Decree of Censure that has no practical effects.
Consider for a moment that Tara-Lyn Temple was apparently so admired by fellow veterinarians that she was elected as a Director and eventually became vice-president of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association. It also makes you wonder, considering the allegations in the previous complaint, 22-22, why this place doesn't get investigated from top to bottom. Jeepers, Scoob!
| Source: | February 2, 2022 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Tara-Lyn Temple | Respondent |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Nay |
| Gregg Maura | Nay |
| Justin McCormick | Aye |
| Steven Dow | Aye |
| Violations: | |
| ARS § 32-2232 (11)- Gross negligence; treatment of a patient or practice of veterinary medicine resulting in injury, unnecessary suffering or death that was caused by carelessness, negligence or the disregard of established principles or practices for operating on the leg. | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | March 3, 2022 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Tara Lynn Temple | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Robyn Jaynes |
| Seconded By: | Darren Wright |
| Roll Call: | |
| Craig Nausley | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Absent |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Melissa Thompson | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Violations: | |
| ARS 32-2232 (12) Failure to meet professionally acceptable procedures | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | Order 22023 (May 5, 2022) |
|---|---|
| Violations: | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232 (12) as it relates to A.A.C. R3-11-501(1) failure to meet Professional Acceptable Procedures for operating on the wrong leg. | |
| Penalties: | |
| Decree of censure | |
The primary source for the above summary was obtained as a public record from the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. You are welcome to review the original records and board meeting minutes by clicking the relevant links. While we endeavor to provide an accurate summary of the complaint, response, investigative reports and board actions, we encourage you to review the primary sources and come to your own conclusions. In some cases we have also been able to reach out to individuals with knowledge of specific complaints, and where possible that information will be included here.