A Nevada urologist who had his medical license suspended after he was accused of reusing single-use endocavity needle guides during biopsy procedures has taken out a paid advertisement in the Las Vegas Review-Journal in which he blames an unnamed equipment vendor for suggesting he could reuse the device, according to a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Michael Kaplan, MD, who practices in the Las Vegas area, is accused of reusing the devices, over a three-month period, an average of 3-5 times and only replacing them when they had become "too bloody," according to the summary suspension filed by the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners.
The ad defends Dr. Kaplan's actions by stating an "ultra-sound equipment vendor represented that the plastic needle guides could be reused 'three to five times.'"
During biopsy procedures to test for prostate cancer, needles are directed through endocavity needle guides, which come into contact with blood and other bodily fluids.
Dr. Kaplan's license was suspended following conclusion of a joint investigation by the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners and the Food and Drug Administration.
The ad from Dr. Kaplan, MD was produced by his attorney.
Read the Las Vegas Review-Journal report about the ad from Dr. Michael Kaplan.
View Dr. Kaplan's ad in the Las Vegas Review-Journal by clicking here (pdf) as hosted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Read the summary suspension filed by the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners (pdf).
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