State board orders monitoring of doctor

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By Ann McGlynn | Monday, December 24, 2007 | 5 comment(s)

A Bettendorf pediatrician with a series of legal and professional licensure issues must again submit to monitoring by the Iowa Board of Medicine.

Narinder Kumar, 55, is again required to take part in drug screening and counseling. He is prohibited from using alcohol and restricted in his use of controlled and prescription drugs, an order issued this week says.

His attorney, Connie Diekema, said it is yet unclear whether Kumar will appeal this latest decision. In a statement, she said: “The Iowa Board of Medicine came to a well-reasoned decision in August based on the evidence presented at a lengthy hearing, which included several witnesses and records.

“It is unfortunate that their findings and rulings are being overturned on a technicality that has nothing to do with the facts or the evidence in the case. Dr. Kumar will continue to provide quality care to his patients. The board’s current decision does not restrict his ability to practice medicine.”

Kumar was placed on five years probation in May 2006. He was required to have a female chaperone present while examining female patients, complete a course for appropriate prescribing practices, not use controlled or prescription drugs unless prescribed by another health care provider and submit to drug testing. He was prohibited from consuming alcohol and required to participate in counseling and have a fellow physician monitor his work.

Kumar’s physician license was suspended in April for allegations that he performed an inappropriate examination on the mother of a patient and failed to follow conditions of his five-year board-imposed probation.

He was accused of examining female patients without a chaperone present, interfering with the staff reporting process and practicing without an appropriate physician monitor, the board said in its order.

However, his license was reinstated in August after the Iowa Board of Medicine found insufficient evidence on some of the charges. The board also decided to remove some provisions of the May 2006 probation order.

The board did cite Kumar for violating a board order requiring office staff to submit monthly surveillance reports and quarterly compliance reports. Kumar also received a warning from the board that future violations could result in suspension or revocation of his license.

The state appealed the board’s decision. The board decided this week that Kumar did have to follow the provisions in the May 2006 order.

The licensure dispute has led to four civil lawsuits, as well.

A lawsuit filed by one of his former employees, who said Kumar inappropriately touched her, was dismissed in Scott County District Court in July.

A lawsuit was filed in June by the family of a teen girl who said Kumar was inappropriate with her, but its status was unavailable because it is sealed. In August, Kumar filed a lawsuit against the girl’s mother.

In October, he filed a lawsuit against a fellow physician for libel. She made complaints to the board.

Ann McGlynn can be contacted at (563) 383-2336 or amcglynn@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.