The state attorney general wants to force Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Anaheim to release the names of two patients who died while in the care of a pediatric cardiologist.

The hospital has not cooperated with the state medical board's investigation of the doctor, identified only as "Dr. Y," according to a petition filed this week in Orange County Superior Court.

The state's investigation of "Dr. Y" started last year after Kaiser Anaheim reviewed the doctor's conduct in the care of 20 patients, including the two who died. As a result of the hospital's inquiry, the doctor agreed to a restriction of his pediatric cardiology practice and, as required by law, Kaiser notified the state of the disciplinary action. It's unclear if the physician continues to work at the hospital.

In October, the state issued a subpoena for all records pertaining to the discipline of "Dr. Y." In response, Kaiser handed over 1,300 pages of documents related to the case, but redacted patient names, citing confidentiality rules.

State medical board investigators say they need the names of patients to contact their families and obtain coroner's reports, according to the court filing. The hospital has said it won't release the names unless the court orders them to. A hearing is set for May 29.

"In order to protect the patients' privacy, we need a judge to decide whether or not the medical board really needs those names," said Kaiser Permanente spokesman Jim Anderson. "If the judge decides that, then obviously we'll comply."

Contact the writer: 714-796-6880 or bbernhard@ocregister.com