The state Department of Health has confirmed it is investigating three recent deaths at Mercy Medical Center following a complaint by a doctor at the hospital about insufficient care given to the patients.

In a written complaint to the state Department of Health, Dr. Anthony Colantonio, who practices medicine at the Rockville Centre hospital, expressed concern about an 18-year-old woman who died because an "under-qualified" physician's assistant improperly inserted a chest tube.

"The quality of care at Mercy Hospital has been decreasing," Colantonio told News 12 Long Island. He also complained about two other recent deaths at the hospital.Insiders say the investigation does not include the post-operation death of a woman who underwent surgery for breast cancer that she never had.

Mercy Hospital says there is no truth to Colantonio?s allegations. The hospital calls him a disgruntled employee who has a grudge against the hospital because he has been disciplined.

To that, Colantonio says he was a whistle-blower and that?s why he was disciplined. Winthrop University Hospital says Colantonio is a doctor in good standing with the hospital.

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