Defrocked doctor did stint in ER
By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact)
Originally published 01:52 p.m., February 9, 2009
Updated 02:31 p.m., February 9, 2009
A former Ashland, Ks., physician, who filled in as an Emergency Room doctor at Newman Regional Health, has surrendered his license to practice medicine, according to a news release from the Kansas Board of Healing Arts in Topeka.
Dr. Chad Everett Sharp received his license to practice medicine in October 1993, according to a consent order filed Feb. 5.
Sharp, whose last known mailing address was 928 Topeka St., worked for a company that provided doctors for the Newman ER, according to Newman Chief Executive Officer Robert Driewer.
Driewer said Sharp worked in Emporia from approximately August to November 2008. Sharp was not directly employed by Newman.
Sharp currently is listed at a clinic in Augusta. A call to the clinic's listed telephone number, however, revealed that the clinic is located in Wichita, not in Augusta. A clinic spokesman said that Dr. Sharp does not work there and has not worked there.
His credentials listed online show that he graduated in 1992 from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, with a residency in family medicine also done there.
Sharp is not listed in the Emporia telephone book.
The incidents that resulted in the action stemmed from Sharp’s employment as a physician by the Ashland Health Center in Ashland, from Feb. 6, 2008, until May 22, 2008.
The order stated that the BHA had received and investigated information, and decided there was reason to believe there were grounds to take action against Sharp’s license.
The consent order cited cases involving three patients Sharp treated at Ashland.
One, a 17-year-old boy, came to the emergency room by ambulance; he was unresponsive on arrival and in severe diabetic ketoacidosis. Sharp was accused of ordering the young man injected with 360 units of insulin, with injections spread over five different injections in the first 90 minutes of care.
The consent order stated that the patient should have been started on an insulin drip, instead of the injections that filled him with more than double the amount of insulin he should have received. The board concluded Sharp’s actions were “below the standard of care.”
The second patient, a 68-year-old woman, came to the hospital with a seven-day history of nausea and vomiting, in addition to a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and exhibiting some wheezing.
The patient was septic and in shock, and in need of further assessment and care at a higher-skilled care center.
Nurses on duty called Sharp at home several times regarding the patient’s condition, which continued to deteriorate.
“Licensee did not come in to evaluate the patient until the next morning, despite a nurse’s statement that it appeared the patient was ‘really bad and was dying,’” the order stated.
The next day, the patient’s family requested she be moved to a higher skilled-care facility, which Sharp arranged to have done. The patient died en route to that hospital.
The order also mentioned Sharp’s work for Correct Care Solutions in Kansas, describing Sharp’s allowing an advanced registered nurse practitioner on-staff to provide most of that patient’s treatment. The ARNP did not follow appropriate protocols, the order said, and was not adequately supervised by Sharp.
The Feb. 5 order mentioned a previous consent order that had been agreed upon in which Sharp admitted that from about June 2005 through March 2006, he prescribed controlled substances and other prescription-only medications for coworkers and friends “outside of a physician-patient relationship and without maintaining a medical record.”
For a time, the board limited Sharp’s prescribing of controlled substances. The limitation was lifted in December 2007.
Portions of the order end in mid-sentence with the words “(Confidential).”
The consent order states that Sharp may reapply for licensure “when he feels he would be able to demonstrate to the Board that he is fit to practice. The burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence shall be on the Licensee to show (Confidential) to justify reinstatement of the license.”
Comments
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Posted by Happiness09 (anonymous) on February 9, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It doesn't surprise me in the least that this quack worked at Newman Hospital. Most of the doctor's that do work there are from what I refer to as the "Arnold group for doctors". Just add this incident to the rest of the horror stories of Newman's ER. In this article it states, "Sharp was not directly employed by Newman. RIDICULOUS! He was just working there because he was employed by somebody else to work there??
I've always said if I'm ever dying somebody better drive me to Topeka, because if you go to Newman ER you are going to be dead anyway.
Posted by mythoughts (anonymous) on February 9, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whaaaaaa?! Brilliant! My god, I wonder if he's the one who told me I had an infection, but I didn't need antibiotics for it? I thought I was going to die, and he kicked me out after a bag of IV fluids and a Tylenol. Another doctor had to get me the antibiotics...
Posted by create (anonymous) on February 9, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that this doctor is a quack and his license should be revoked immediately. However, in all fairness, I would like to state that my family and I, in the couple of times that we have needed emergency medical attention, have always received very good care at Newman's emergency. We were never seen by this quack, but the doctors and nurses who did attend us were highly professional and I have nothing but good remarks to say about them. You can't let one situation color an entire department.
Posted by Joe_Strummer (anonymous) on February 9, 2009 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually Happiness, he WASN'T directly employed by the hospital. The ER physicians have always been contracted by outside agencies.
Have fun waiting 8 hours in the ER at Stormont just to get in.
Wow, yet another ignorant poster on the Gazette site.....big surprise.
Posted by lena (anonymous) on February 9, 2009 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I saw this doctor also, or so called doctor.
I went to the ER with adnormal EKG. he said maybe abnormal EKG's were normal for me, said I had broncitis, and gave me two prescriptions.
I was back in the ER two days later, when they admited me to have heart tests done.
I knew he was wrong at the time.
My son, also was there, and was seen by him, with a stap skin infection. he told my son he was fine, and sent him out.
I had him back up there the next night, when he was admitted and have IV's running in him for three days. the hospital wrote off his first ER bill. Now, I know why.
beware if you have to go there, he is probably not the only one there like that.
Posted by Joe_Strummer (anonymous) on February 9, 2009 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Create, I agree. I have had good and bad experience's here as well as at other facility's. If one nurse is grumpy, I don't make the assumption that they are all grumpy. If one doctor is bad, I don't make the assumption that they are all bad.
I would guess that someone didn't kiss Happiness' azz to the extent he would have liked, and therefore Newman's is a bad hospital.
Happiness, did you even notice that this quack was busted not for treatment given while at Newman's but at other facilities?
Posted by tzkmom (anonymous) on February 9, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I had a bad experience with Newman's in Nov. I called the ER to tell them I was bringing in my 11 yr old very athletic boy that had just played a full BB game on thursday night then suddenly on sat morning is having trouble breathing with very low O2 levels. They said they were too busy to see him, that I should just monitor him until monday. I then called Burlington ER who said to bring him right over, he was admitted to the hospital with severe pneumonia in his left lung. They started IV antibiotics and took excellent care of him until dismissed. I am afraid what would have happened if I had waited until Monday. One article says that 70-75% of the area uses Newman's I feel I am now in that 25-30% bracket that doesn't.
Posted by Happiness09 (anonymous) on February 9, 2009 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Joe_Strummer and whoever thought I didn't get my butt kissed: I actually did have one of their doctor's yell at me across the lobby in front of nurse's, patient's and everybody that I could kiss his ass. He did get fired over it if that makes it okay with you. I have a few other nice stories about Newman ER I could tell you also if you'de care to hear them. As far as the ER doctor's not being directly employed by the hospital.....sounds to be like they are looking for poor excuses for a poor ER. It is called Newman ER isn't it?? And recently when I was in the ER I sat in the room for 3 hours before a nurse came in to tell me I could leave, and the doctor hadn't even came back in to tell me what the results of the lab was that I was supposedly waiting on all that time. Of course I can't blame that on "Arnold's group of doctor's" because that was one of our local physician's.
Posted by Happiness09 (anonymous) on February 9, 2009 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As for 70-75% of the area using Newman's.....that is only because there is no other ER to use! Once you've been there you won't go back. It is nice to know that 70-75% of the locals haven't had to go to an ER.
Posted by jackslap (anonymous) on February 9, 2009 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We have quacks like that still in town practicing. This should not be a surprise. The best thing we have the helicopter. As least then you have a chance of living......
Posted by cookatwork (anonymous) on February 9, 2009 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ER doctors have not been employees of NRH. That would be why, in the past, you got separate bills from Newmans' if you went from the ER to the hospital. Several years ago, when we had to use the ER, we actually got a bill from Emergency Room Doctors, Inc out of KC for the doctor all the other things done were billed through Newmans.
I think that if the doctors that worked the ER WERE Emporia doctors the care there might not seem so lacking at times.
In the last 2 years - we've utilized the ER 5 times - twice during the morning, once in the afternoon and twice at night. All the day time care was very good and quite efficient. The night time care... wonderful nurses... only a couple of patients... but took almost an HOUR for the doctor to even come in and visit with the patient. The first night of pain was contributed to....... tada..... no diagnosis.... an MRI and a try this to relieve the symptoms ($225 script - two doses). The second night (EARLY morning)... we had the pleasure of showing up 45 minutes before shift change..... the first doctor didn't even address the symptoms.... pain meds given to relieve the pain and they were ready to discharge.... again NO diagnosis.... (these two nights were consecutive weekend nights) I refused to leave until they had addressed all the symptoms........ what they did next didn't result in anything but more pain and orders to see family physician in the morning and pain meds from the NRH pharmacy to get through until then..... BUT the pain inflicted ACTUALLY saved a life because it actually made a tear in the skin which allowed a hidden infection to rear it's ugly head by the time we got to the doctor - WHICH resulted in a 4 day hospital stay on IV antibiotics. The infection was clearly seen on the MRI that was done upon being admitted to NRH. Hello? did they not read the MRI that was done in the ER less than 48 hours earlier? Dr. Hicks said, "this would've been noticable 3 days ago when the pain set in".
I can't help but think had the basic blood work been done on either night - some of this could have been avoided. BUT... I'm NOT a doctor and don't know for sure.
I try NOT to use the ER at all because the insurance company doesn't pay ANYTHING if it is not absolutely necessary. Understandingly because ER costs seem to be triple that of regular hospital care. THAT IS CRAZY!!!!
I've gotten off subject..... back to that.... in those 5 visits we saw 6 different doctors. 3 were wonderful!!!!!!!!! One being Dr. Warrick whom I know many felt was pretty crass but I was pleased with his care everytime I've ever dealt w/ him in the ER (he has retired since). The other 3 - I pretty much felt like we were a burden.
Posted by orlando (anonymous) on February 9, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To those of you who have had negative experiences in the ER at Newman's, did you ever voice your displeasure to the administrator, or the DON, or anyone in the hospital? Those persons sure aren't going to hear this stuff from the staff involved if you weren't happy about their care. Let the top dogs know why we are not happy with that ER.
And if you had a good experience, let them know about that too. Let staff that did a good job know about it. Praise for good work yields more good work!
Posted by waltzingalong (anonymous) on February 9, 2009 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it is truly awful what happened with those patients who were under Dr. Sharp's care. I have never been a patient of Dr. Sharp but have been to the Emergency Room at Newman 3 times in the past few years. When I was in the ER I was treated by Dr. Ted Cook on two occasions and Dr. Vanessa Cook once. I feel that I received exceptional care and feel very fortunate to have these doctors in our community!
Posted by cookatwork (anonymous) on February 10, 2009 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To answer the question as to if I voiced my concerns.... YOU BET I DID! I praised the nurses the same day, let the charge nurse on duty know my pleasures AND displeasures and called administration the very next day AND told our primary care physician who is active on the hospital board.
Posted by Observation (anonymous) on February 10, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
create:
I agree with you 100%. This fellow isn't too SHARP, but he is not the standard at the ER at Newmans. My family and I have received very good care at the ER there.
Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on February 10, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's been about 6 years since I went to the Newman ER. It was such a horrible experience I never went back. The dr. was ok, the nurse was a total b---- who snapped my head off, dumped me in the farthest room half naked and never came back with the blanket I asked for. The staff did not do the follow up with my dr. like promised either. We sure did bring that to the attention of the hospital. My husband called the ER director the next day and I wrote a long letter to the Lambert. They didn't even offer to mail the material they were supposed to have given us on dismissal, we had to stop in and pick it up. I swore never to go back and haven't!
Posted by orlando (anonymous) on February 10, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Attention Newman Regional Health:
Are you reading this blog?
Posted by coldhandswarmheart (anonymous) on February 10, 2009 at 11:26 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by history_nerd (anonymous) on February 10, 2009 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
While I've not had good experiences in the ER, I will say that the level of care in labor and delivery at NRH is exceptional.
Posted by josiesbar (anonymous) on February 10, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was a passenger in a car wreck about a year and a half ago. I walked away with cuts and scrapes, and the driver of the vehicle had a compound fracture in her leg. I got in the ambulance because I had no other way back into town (car was totaled).
When we got to the hospital, I refused admittance, and told the nurse to take care of the driver, who they life-flighted to KU Med. I had a couple of pieces of safety glass on my arm (which was scraped up pretty bad) so she let ME use a pair of tweezers to remove a few pieces of glass, and then wrapped it in gauze (which made it worse, because all that happened was my arm stuck to the gauze). Three weeks later, I received a bill in the mail for $550 for ER fees AFTER I refused admittance.
They tried to tell me they needed to do a CAT scan and an X-ray, but I just went home.
Posted by spectator (anonymous) on February 10, 2009 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you are fortunate enough to get through the Emergency or Outpatient Department and are actually admitted, the care and treatment is usually pretty good. I don't utilize the ED unless there is no other possibility because of personal experiences and horror stories I've heard from people I know and trust. As for waiting at Stormont Vail for HOURS as someone wrote, I've done the same thing at Newman's and no, they were not running-ragged-busy. But then, Newman's is known for not addressing staff problems. Administration really doesn't give a hoot; they know that those who HAVE to use the ED will simply HAVE to tough it out and hope the (alleged) doctor doesn't have a temper tantrum or the nurses aren't having a bad day and/or are intimidated by the (alleged) doctor.
Posted by cookatwork (anonymous) on February 10, 2009 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
New faces in Newman's administration so let's give them the benefit of the doubt that we will see some changes in the near future. Only time will tell.
Posted by coldhandswarmheart (anonymous) on February 13, 2009 at 8:06 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by orlando (anonymous) on February 14, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I had heard changes were to occur yesterday. Did anything happen?
Posted by Happiness09 (anonymous) on February 16, 2009 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
orlando: I'm curious to know what kind of changes?
Posted by orlando (anonymous) on February 17, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All I heard was "changes". I can only guess-- personnel and schedule changes....
Posted by orlando (anonymous) on February 18, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just heard this pm that Newman's is going to shut down 3 depts....rehabilitation, home health, and recovery road.
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