A lawsuit filed in May 2025 has brought to light serious allegations against Premier Endoscopy Center in Naples, Florida, and one of its physicians, Scott Wiesen, MD.

Newitt, P. Endoscopy centre faces lawsuit alleging near-fatal colonoscopy. Becker's ASC Review. May 8, 2025.

In 2023, patient Elaine Bredehoft underwent a routine colonoscopy performed by Dr. Wiesen at Premier Endoscopy Centre.

Post-procedure, Bredehoft experienced extreme pain and waited approximately 30 minutes before an ambulance was called.

She was transferred to NCH North Hospital, where emergency surgery revealed a bleeding colon requiring 52 stitches. Subsequently, she developed a serious infection necessitating further hospitalisation and extensive at-home wound care.

Physician's medical condition and licensing concerns

The lawsuit further alleges that Dr. Wiesen had dementia at the time of the procedure and retired shortly thereafter.

However, investigations revealed that his medical license remained active, and the Florida Board of Medicine had not received notification of his retirement.

This isn't the first time Dr. Wiesen has faced medical malpractice allegations. State records from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation show he settled claims in 2000 and 2006.

Jean, O. WINK Investigates: A colonoscopy gone wrong? Wink. May 5, 2025.

One of the claims involved a colonoscopy that ended in a person's death. Another was a misdiagnosed small bowel obstruction that also ended in the death of the patient.

Should doctors be screened for dementia?

This ongoing case raises significant questions about the monitoring of physicians' health and competency, especially concerning cognitive impairments like dementia.

Among physicians, the prevalence of unrecognised cognitive impairment is notable. A cross-sectional study reported that a considerable number of adults aged 65 and older receiving primary care had unrecognised cognitive impairment.

Manly JJ, Jones RN, Langa KM, et al. Estimating the Prevalence of Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment in the US: The 2016 Health and Retirement Study Harmonised Cognitive Assessment Protocol Project. JAMA Neurol. 2022;79(12):1242–1249. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.3543

Despite these findings, there is no national mandate in the United States for cognitive screening of physicians.

Executive Summary. American Medical Association. 2021.

Most state medical boards rely on self-reporting or external complaints to identify impairment. However, some institutions have initiated structured screening programs.

According to the American Medical Association's Code of Medical Ethics, doctors should "intervene with respect and compassion when a colleague is not able to practice safely. Such intervention should strive to ensure that the colleague is no longer endangering patients and that the individual receives appropriate evaluation and care to treat any impairing conditions."

Code of Medical Ethics. American Medical Association. May 12, 2025.