RI suspends physician’s license

Rhode Island health officials have suspended the license of a physician after a patient complained about being administered a sedative during an office visit. The Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline says it took action against Afshin Nasseri, MD, after receiving a complaint on Aug. 11. The board says Nasseri gave a patient an injection of the sedative Midazolam during an office visit. The drug is commonly used prior to endoscopy or colonoscopy procedures. One of its side effects is temporary amnesia. The board also says the patient's medical file was incomplete and that Nasseri was not following conditions he agreed to with the Physician Health Committee of the Rhode Island Medical Society. State officials say they are not aware of other complaints about Nasseri. He declined comment.