Dr. Prashanth Damalcheruvu: Don’t you know who he is?

Dozens of doctors and nurses at UAMS Medical Center held a man against his will for two weeks, performed whatever tests they wanted, used drugs to sedate him, and bound him to a hospital bed, often naked and exposed.

One of the doctors who was involved from the start is Assistant Professor Prashanth Reddy Damalcheruvu, M.D.

Dr. Damalcheruvu refuses to pay any restitution to the unwilling patient. The highly paid supervisor of the residents at UAMS claimed in court documents that he did not cause the patient to be confined for approximately two weeks and
subject him to force more excessive than allowed in a maximum security prison. Dr. Damalcheruvu claims that he “is a neuroradiologist, and his alleged involvement was limited to reviewing and interpreting diagnostic imaging within that specialty. He did not order, direct, or control [the patient]’s confinement, the use of force, or any aspect of his custodial care.”

The medical record and rudimentary knowledge of the supervisory role of professors in a university hospital contradict the certified document filed on Dr. Damalcheruvu’s behalf.

First, the medical record calls the people who forced treatment on the patient the trauma team, SICU team and treatment team.

Dr. Damalcheruvu signed a note that says, “Patient will be admitted to STICU for continued neuro exams.” Dr. Damalcheruvu did not ask the patient’s consent to keep him for observation and further testing. The patient was sedated with Fentanyl and Lorazepam without consent which was, according to Nurse Lyree Williams meant to subdue the patient.

The team used four-point restraints to confine the patient. Dr. Damalcheruvu did not mention any of these restraints in his notes.

There was no consent form in the medical record prior to the CT Scans that Dr. D approved.

The patient did not consent to be treated by the residents and students who were under Dr. Damalcheruvu’s supervision.

“A graduate registered physician shall be considered the agent of his or her supervising physician in the performance of all practice-related activities, including but not limited to, the ordering of diagnostic, therapeutic, and other medical services.” 17 CAR Sec. 140-3104(c).

Dr. Damalcheruvu collects over half a million dollars per year as a professor at UAMS. Then, when his team screws up, he claims no responsibility at all. Don’t believe me? Read it here: