THE STATE MEDICAL BOARD recently disciplined a prominent cardiologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for losing his temper and using disrespectful language while performing a complex procedure.

The state Board of Registration in Medicine admonished Dr. Elad Anter, a disciplinary action that is considered less harsh than a censure or reprimand. Anter’s conduct “undermines the public’s confidence in the integrity of the medical profession,” the board wrote in the consent order it executed with him.

Anter’s actions were brought to the medical board’s attention by Beth Israel Deaconess, which required him to take a leave of absence and, after an ad hoc peer review committee looked into his current and past incidents of disruptive behavior, ordered him to undergo a fitness-for-duty evaluation and complete a course on proper professional behavior.

According to the hospital’s report to the medical board, the 48-year-old Anter lost his temper while performing a cardiac ablation, a technique to scar or destroy tissue in the heart that’s allowing incorrect electrical signals to cause an abnormal heart rhythm. While the procedure was being performed, the anesthesiologist and nurses in the room expressed their concern to Anter regarding the progressive deterioration of the patient, according to the report.

In response, Anter became “angered” and refused to consider the safety measures being proposed by his colleagues. When a nurse entered the room and attempted to engage in the discussion, Anter responded “explosively with disrespectful language” and told the nurse, “You’re fired.”

Anter ultimately went along with the recommendation of the anesthesiologist. The patient had a positive outcome.

Anter has exhibited disruptive behavior previously. “[He] has a history of disruptive behavior requiring . . . ongoing interventions,” the Beth Israel Deaconess report to the medical board states.  These behaviors include belittling hospital staff, using disparaging and abusive language toward trainees, blaming others, departing from established protocols, making unplanned and unexplained changes in the course of a procedure, and making unreasonable demands on team members.

Anter was required to provide copies of the medical board’s consent order he signed to any facilities where he practices medicine and the medical boards of other states where he may be licensed.

Disruptive behavior by physicians is a growing problem nationally. It’s estimated that 3 to 5 percent of physicians exhibit such actions, and often don’t perceive they have a problem, according to articles in the Journal of Medical Regulation. Physicians in high-stress specialties, including surgery, cardiology, and obstetrics, are most prone, according to federal data.