Supporting doc

Moses Lake doctor Irene Kimura was recently placed on probation by the state Department of Health. They accused her of mismanaging a patient when diagnosing her with asthmatic bronchitis.

It seems the 83 year-old patient had a pre-existing heart condition.

Complaining of fatigue and cough, the patient was treated but died a week later.

Dr. Kimura is appealing the probation decision.

We don’t know if she the probation decision is right or wrong, but her patients are supporting her. Several have commented on the story online at www.columbiabasinherald.com.

— Editorial board

The following are some of the comments readers posted online at www.columbiabasinherald.com:

Scotty blogged: “I for one will stand up for Dr Kimura. She treats my children and I am severely disgusted that something like this would happen to her. She is an excellent physician and I believe will be found not guilty.”

Patient blogged: “I agree with Scotty. She is one of the few doctors willing to sit down with you and do a thorough exam. The woman was 83, she lived a full life. I am in no way saying it was ok, but sometimes these things happen. People are just always unhappy when their preferences are not being met. I hope she is found not guilty.”

CC blogged: “Wow. Doctors are, after all, human not computers. It sounds like the older patient died from some condition that doesn’t even remotely sound like what her presenting symptoms were in the first place and the doctor can’t be expected to be perfect. Medicine is not an exact science. Sometimes bad things happen and no one is to blame.”

LR blogged: “Scotty I 100 percent agree with you. Dr. Kimura treats everyone in my family and can’t believe something like this would happen to her. She is a wonderful physician and wouldn’t hesitate to refer her.”

Kelly blogged: “Dr. Kimura is a excellent physician. Once all the facts are present she will be found not guilty and only found to be a victim of the ‘Good old boy system’ that plagues the good people of Moses Lake yet again.”

Zerbys blogged: “Dr. Kimura is the best family doctor that we have ever went to. She takes the time and goes over everything before making her decision. She is not just a doctor she is a friend. Any one of her patients know that she is not an in and out doctor. She truly cares for all her patients. I know we will continue to use her as our doctor.”