In the investigative case against Dr. Vatsala Kesavulu, M.D., a pediatric critical care physician in Las Vegas, the 16-year-old patient was admitted to the St. Rose Dominican Hospital – Siena Campus Emergency Department with complaints of left-sided chest pain, intermittent palpations, and two recent episodes of seizures. At the hospital, the ED physician ordered a x-ray and other tests, including a test for pulmonary embolism risk. Per the report, the chest x-ray demonstrated a “left upper lobe infiltrate.” Immediately after reviewing the X-ray, the hospital staff recommended a CT scan of patient’s chest with contrast. Further, the patient was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, where Dr. Kesavulu assumed care of the patient. During the hospitalization, the patient continued to experience an increased heart rate, and other tests remained elevatedIt is alleged that Dr. Kesavulu did not obtain a chest CT scan with contrast. The patient experienced a near-syncopal episode. Later, the patient’s heart rate dropped acutely, and a “code blue” was initiated. Patient A passed away a day after being admitted to the ICU.
 
With all of the allegations as stated above, Dr. Kesavulu is charged with two counts: one count of malpractice and another count of failure to maintain complete medical records. Per the NV State Statutes, malpractice is defined as the failure of a physician, in treating a patient, to use the reasonable care, skill, or knowledge ordinarily used under similar circumstances. It is alleged that Dr. Kesavulu failed to use the reasonable care, skill, or knowledge ordinarily used under similar circumstances when treating the patient referred above. Further, per the allegations, Dr. Kesavulu failed to maintain complete medical records relating to the diagnosis, treatment, and care of the patient.
 
Dr. Vatsala Kesavulu earned her medical degree and completed her internship and residency in Pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. She went on to complete a fellowship in Pediatric Critical Care at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Kesavulu has previously settled two medical malpractice cases—one for $200,000 and another for $375,000.
 
In Dr. Zia Uddin Khan’s investigative case, a patient with type 2 diabetes was evaluated by Dr. Khan for discolored feet, chills, and swelling of the foot and ankle. The patient underwent multiple ultrasound tests, which did not demonstrate significant arterial disease.
 
It is alleged that Dr. Khan failed to use the reasonable care, skill, or knowledge ordinarily used under similar circumstances when treating this particular patient, by performing multiple lower extremity angiograms without sufficient indication and without first attempting less invasive treatments and testing. Additionally, Dr. Khan is accused of performing twice a venous stenting procedures without sufficient indication and without first attempting less invasive treatments and testing. 
 
Dr. Khan is being investigated on two counts of medical malpractice and one count of failure to maintain complete medical records. Further, it is alleged that Dr. Khan failed to maintain complete medical records relating to the diagnosis, treatment, and care of the said patient and failed to document consideration of alternative diagnoses while treating this patient.
 
Dr. Zia Uddin Khan is a graduate of Nehru Medical College at Aligarh Muslim University in Aligarh, India. He completed his residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiovascular diseases at the University of Cincinnati. He went on to complete an additional fellowship in interventional cardiology at the University of Louisville Medical Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Previously, Dr. Khan was involved in a medical malpractice case that was settled for $75,000.
 
As a result of the foregoing, both Dr. Vatsala Kesavulu and Dr. Zia Uddin Khan are subject to disciplinary action by the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners pursuant to the provisions of the Nevada Medical Practice Act.