N.Y. comp board revokes doctor’s authority to treat injured workers

The New York State Workers Compensation Board said Monday that it has revoked Dr. Rajendrakumar Patel’s authorization to treat injured workers within the state’s comp system, effective Feb. 5.

Dr. Patel admitted guilt to the Second Specification, including failure to maintain records for multiple patients that accurately reflected the evaluation and treatment of the patient, failure to adequately assess medical history and symptoms upon presentation, failure to order adequate medical tests, failure to order appropriate consults, failure to adequately monitor blood gases and electrolytes, failure to adequately monitor lithium levels, sodium levels and thyroid functions, and failure to adequately document whether a patient was being followed by a psychiatrist, the board said in a statement.

Dr. Patel is under a 36-month probationary period. During this time, he can practice medicine only when monitored by a licensed physician, according to the statement.