North Jersey Physician Voluntarily Agrees to License Restrictions Amid Pending Allegations That He Lacked Skills to Perform Spinal Surgeries
NEWARK — Dr. Richard Kaul, who owns a medical facility in Passaic County, has voluntarily agreed to restrictions on his license to practice medicine, in lieu of the State Board of Medical Examiners today considering the temporary suspension of his license.
Kaul, 47, who owns the New Jersey Spine and Rehabilitation Center in Pompton Lakes, agreed to cease and desist from performing or assisting in any and all spinal surgical procedures.
In a Complaint filed with the Board on April 2 by the Attorney General, Kaul is accused 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 restrictions on Kaul's license took effect today, after the Board approved an interim consent order with him. The restrictions will remain in effect until the Board holds a hearing on the Complaint filed against him by the Office of the Attorney General and considers additional action on his medical license.
Kaul also agreed to cease and desist from performing all surgical and special procedures which utilize conscious sedation, regional anesthesia, or general anesthesia, until such time as he obtains hospital or other appropriate privileges.
"The Board has acted to protect the public through restricting Dr. Kaul's ability to perform spinal and other specific procedures," Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said. "If Dr. Kaul had not agreed to these restrictions, we were prepared to ask the Board to take action against his license at its meeting today."
The interim consent order expands upon license restrictions put into place last month, under a separate, voluntary agreement with Kaul.
Kaul currently is permitted to perform only minor surgical procedures, as defined under Board regulations.
"The Board's paramount focus is professional standards of care and adherence to its regulations. When either is not met, the Board will consider disciplinary action against the licensee in order to protect the public," said Eric T. Kanefsky, Acting Director of the State Division of Consumer Affairs.
The Board previously took disciplinary action against Kaul in 2003, when it suspended him for six months, followed by 18 months of probation, after it learned that Kaul failed to disclose to the Board that he was convicted of negligent manslaughter in England in connection with the delivery of anesthesia to a dental patient.
Deputy Attorney General Doreen Hafner of the Professional Boards Prosecution Section in the Division of Law, is representing the state in this case.
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