Anesthesiologist passes out from drug use at Los Angles VA!

University of California, Los Angeles, Anesthesiologist Sentenced for Drug Diversion A University of California, Los Angeles, anesthesiologist was sentenced to 2 years’ probation, a $10,000 fine, and ordered to undergo drug testing after pleading guilty to theft of Government property and possession of a controlled substance. In addition, the California Medical Board adopted a stipulated civil settlement and disciplinary order between the anesthesiologist and the California Attorney General’s Office involving gross negligence, incompetence, use of dangerous drugs, and unprofessional conduct. The civil agreement required the anesthesiologist to be placed on probation for 5 years, which included random drug testing, ethics training, psychiatric evaluation, psychotherapy, professional monitoring, and other requirements. An OIG investigation revealed that during a rotation at the West Los Angeles, CA, VAMC, and while providing anesthesia care to a veteran in surgery, the anesthesiologist collapsed in the operating room due to ingestion of three tablets of clonazepam and self-injection of ketamine, midazolam, and fentanyl. The defendant was found on the floor with a tourniquet around his wrist and empty vials of the controlled substances near him. The investigation determined that the defendant diverted the drugs from the VAMC. During sentencing, the anesthesiologist admitted placing the patient’s life in danger.