One RI Doctor Loses License, Two Others Reprimanded
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Three RI doctors have been cited for unprofessional conduct by the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline for unprofessional conduct. One has surrendered his medical license and two others have been reprimanded.
The first case involves Dr. Brian G. Kwetkowski, D.O. who self-reported that he had had sexual relations with one of his patients that began 3 years ago, when she was 19. Dr. Kwetkowski has been a physician licensed to practice as a family physician in Rhode Island since 1998. "The complaints to the Board implicate the provisions of R.I.G.L.5-37-5.1 (30) for sexual contact between a doctor and a patient." Dr. Briant G. Kwetkowski has voluntarily surrendered his license.
In September 2008, the Board received a complaint about Dr. Angelo B. Pharmakidis, M.D. allegedly using unsanitary medical instruments. Dr. Pharmakidis has had a RI medical license since 1980 and has privileges at both Roger Williams Hospital and Saint Joseph's Hospital. On October 1, 2008, the Board conducted an on-site inspection of his office, which revealed inadequate cleaning, disinfection or sterilization practices resulting in the use of unsanitary (rusty) medical equipment in the examining room. Dr. Pharmakidis will receive a reprimand from the Board for his violation of RI General Laws 5-37.5.1 (19).
Dr. Prakash Sampath, M.D. also was reprimanded by the Board for failing to appropriately document his practices. In August 2009, a patient was referred to him to conduct neurosurgical evaluation for her neck pain. But the patient claims that she was not properly examined and when she requested a copy of the medical record, it had inaccuracies and clerical errors. Dr. Sampath has acknowledged that the documentation of the medical services was inaccurately recorded on the patient's consultation note.
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