Doctor's Name

GUJARAT UNIVERSITY, N. H. L. MUNICIPAL MEDICAL COLLEGE
#ETHN

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• 2/03/2016—ACCUSATION FILED.

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Excerpt from Accusation dated 2/03/2016:

FIRST CAUSE FOR DISCIPLINE
(Gross Negligence)

6. Respondent Naresh D. Sharma, M.D. is subject to disciplinary action under section 2234, subdivision (b), in that he was grossly negligent in his care and treatment of patient K.K. The circumstances are as follows:

A. Patient K.K. suffered a back injury at work in 2008. That year K.K. had a microdiscectomy, which is a spine surgery intended to take pressure off the nerves and relieve back pain. However, five months after the surgery he had issues with the disc again. He became depressed because of the difficulties he was having with his injury.

B. Dr. L., a psychiatrist, started treating patient K.K. for depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness. K.K. was diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder With Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood. He was prescribed Wellbutrin, MS Cantin, Norco, Xanax, and Ambien.

C. In July 2013, Respondent did a Utilization Review, which is used in Workers' Compensation cases to determine whether treatment is medically necessary. Respondent attempted to call K.K.'s psychiatrist, Dr. L. a few times, but it was over the July 4 holiday weekend. Respondent never spoke to Dr. L. prior to making his final decision.

D. Respondent denied coverage for Klonopin, Xanax, and Ambien, and cut in half the dosage for the Wellbutrin. After K.K. abruptly stopped taking the medications, he had his first seizure on August 7, 2013. The next week on August 14, he had his second seizure and was taken to the Kaiser ER. The next day, on August 15, he had his third seizure, and on August 16, 2013, he had his fourth seizure and was taken by ambulance to the ER. The doctors concluded that the seizures were caused by the abrupt cessation ofthe benzodiazepines.

E. On August 26, 2013, K.K. saw a Dr. P. who placed him on Keppra, which is a seizure medication. Since that time he has had no more seizures. The total time K.K. was off the medications was for two weeks in August 2013.

Allegations of Gross Negligence:

F. Respondent only looked at a few of K.K.'s medical records in reaching his decision. If he had done a comprehensive evaluation, he would have had a better understanding of K.K.'s complex psychiatric history. Respondent's performance ofthe Utilization Review was an extreme departure from the standard of care.

G. Respondent, an anesthesiologist, had no specific mental health training. Thus, it was an extreme departure from this standard of care for him to review the mental health treatment of K.K.

H. Discontinuing benzodiazepines without tapering was an extreme departure from the standard of care. The standard of care is to taper off these medications, and it is a well known side effect that abrupt discontinuation can cause seizures.

I. There is nothing in the medical records that establishes any basis for Respondent decreasing the Wellbutrin. Respondent's modification of Wellbutrin was an extreme departure from the standard of care.

SECOND CAUSE FOR DISCIPLINE
(Repeated Negligent Acts)

7. Respondent Naresh D. Sharma, M.D. is subject to disciplinary action under section 2234, subdivision (c), in that he provided negligent treatment to  patient K.K. The circumstances are as follows:

8. Complainant incorporates by reference the allegations contained above in paragraph 6, A-I, as though fully stated herein.

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#OVERDUE