North Jersey Physician Surrenders License to Board of Medical Examiners, After Violating Permanent Restrictions Previously Placed on his License
NEWARK - The State Board of Medical Examiners has revoked the medical license of Dr. Rodolfo D. Narag, after finding that his work at a Passaic County medical facility exceeded the restrictions that had been placed on his license in 2005, in order to protect the public from incompetent care.
The Board took its first action against Narag's license in 2005, following reports detailing payments made on his behalf in two civil malpractice actions. During the Board's 2005 investigation, Narag submitted to an evaluation of his medical competency. The evaluation revealed a significant lack of medical knowledge, patient management skills, and clinical judgment.
In order to protect patients from harm, the Board permanently limited Narag's ability to practice medicine in New Jersey based on his demonstration of sufficient knowledge and skill to undertake a limited practice. He was restricted to conducting independent medical examinations on behalf of third parties, only for patients demonstrating musculoskeletal symptomology, and to rendering reports based on those examinations. He was permanently barred from providing any direct patient care or prescribing any medications.
"Dr. Narag agreed to specific limits on his ability to practice medicine when the Board determined that he lacked the medical knowledge and clinical judgment needed to protect patients from harm," Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said. "The Board acted appropriately to revoke his license and prohibit him from practicing again, when it discovered he violated those restrictions. Our first priority is the safety of patients in New Jersey."
The Board discovered Narag's violation of those restrictions during an investigation in 2012. Patient records identified him as a consulting physician at New Jersey Spine and Rehabilitation Center. Narag subsequently acknowledged to the Board that he had been employed at the facility since it opened in March 2011, performing pre-anesthesia assessment of patients, and conducting follow-up consultations with post-surgical patients. Those procedures are outside the scope of the permanent limitations that had been placed on his practice.
"The Board of Medical Examiners is required to protect the health and safety of the public by ensuring physicians have the competency, knowledge, and skills their patients expect and deserve," Eric T. Kanefsky, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, said. "By imposing strict discipline on any doctors who violate the rules, the Board is enacting one of its most important public services."
Acting Director Kanefsky noted that Narag's employer, the owner of New Jersey Spine and Rehabilitation, is Dr. Richard Kaul, who was separately disciplined by the Board of Medical Examiners in May 2012 (5/9/12 Press Release).
Kaul agreed to cease and desist from performing or assisting in any and all spinal surgical procedures. The State accused Kaul of gross negligence, malpractice and/or incompetence based on his alleged performing of spinal surgical procedures for which he lacks sufficient training, education, or experience. The Board temporarily suspended his license in June. His license remains suspended.
Deputy Attorney General Wendy Leggett Faulk, of the Professional Boards Prosecution Section in the Division of Law, is representing the State in this case.
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