Dr. Edward Clare Diaz, MD

Our experience with Dr. Edward Diaz at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles was deeply troubling. My 15-year-old son was being assessed after approximately 20 reported episodes of testicular twisting and untwisting within 24 hours. Dr. Diaz stated that he already knew “the story” and, in my presence, said that his intention was to “get rid of us.” Dr. Diaz then examined my son while no parent, nurse, chaperone, or other adult was in the room. My son later reported that the intimate examination was abrupt, inadequately explained, and humiliating. My son felt compelled to demonstrate the abnormal movement himself. Dr. Diaz subsequently acknowledged, in front of me, my friend, and nursing staff, that he had witnessed my son twist or rotate his testicle. Despite that observation and the repeated episodes, Dr. Diaz maintained that surgery was elective and supported discharge. When I asked him to document the clinical basis for discharge, the risks of recurrence, and whether my son was safe to… fly, he told me that he “would not chart anything” for me. He refused to provide written air-travel guidance and stated, in substance, that what happened after discharge was not his problem. He also suggested that we leave and go to another hospital. I found Dr. Diaz’s manner dismissive, intimidating, and inconsistent with the careful, compassionate communication expected when treating a frightened child with a potentially time-sensitive urological condition. Most concerningly, my son left the interaction feeling humiliated and unsafe. This review describes our personal experience and the statements made to us. Formal complaints have been submitted requesting an independent review of Dr. Diaz’s examination, documentation, clinical decision-making, and compliance with pediatric chaperone and consent requirements.

Great bedside manner, excellent explanations