FORNEY, Texas — The Texas Medical Board has suspended the license of a pediatrician practicing at clinics in Forney and Rockwall, according to an order of temporary suspension obtained by inForney.com.
FORNEY, Texas — The Texas Medical Board has suspended the license of a pediatrician practicing at clinics in Forney and Rockwall, according to an order of temporary suspension obtained by inForney.com.
The Disciplinary Panel of the Texas Medical Board held a hearing on April 6, 2018, to review an application for the temporary suspension of the license of Kurt Loring Pflieger — a pediatrician practicing at Rockwall Pediatrics with locations at 2504 Ridge Road #102 and the Forney Medical Plaza located at 757 East U.S. Highway 80 Suite 340, commonly referred to as Forney Pediatrics.
The temporary suspension is the only disciplinary action Pflieger has faced from the board however, in October 2017, he was placed on a remedial plan after prescribing a medication regimen that is not commonly used, but is a recognized treatment, for pediatric acute bronchitis and failed to document an explanation and/or justification for the medication regimen and the instructions to the parents of a patient, according to board records.
In the mid-1990s, Pflieger was named in a lawsuit after misdiagnosing a 14-year-old boy's heart condition, resulting in his death, according to a report from the Dallas Morning News. The boy's parents allege Pflieger had a drinking problem, having been twice convicted in Georgia for DUI.
According to the latest disciplinary order, Pflieger, on or between the dates of January and April 2018, engaged in a pattern of impaired practice.
The board concluded Pflieger's "continuation in the practice of medicine would constitute a continuing threat to the public welfare."
During that time, staff observed Pflieger to be "distracted and preoccupied, failing to complete his patient encounters, failing to complete or submit electronic prescriptions, issuing prescriptions in error and crossing physician patient boundaries by obsessively sharing personal photos, stories and information with patients, employees and drug representatives," states the order.
On or about February 11, 2018, Pflieger was "rough-housing" with a two-year-old sibling of a patient when he attempted to throw the child onto his shoulder — he overshot causing the child to fall, land on his back, and strike his head on the exam room floor.
The next day, staff at Rockwall Pediatrics observed Pflieger in a "manic" state and overheard him yell "satan" while in an encounter with two patients.
"Respondent's outburst could be heard throughout the clinic," states the order.
During a patient's cardiac stress test, Pflieger lost focus, chatting with the patient's mother about a vacation, and caused a medical assistant to terminate the test out of concern for the patient's safety because the patient was complaining of increased pain as the test became more physically demanding.
In early March 2018, Pflieger handed out blank prescription pads to front office staff and instructed them to write prescriptions, if needed. The office's billing manager collected the prescription pads and instructed the staff members it was illegal for anyone other than the provider to write prescriptions.
Pflieger failed to arrive for 9 a.m. appointments at the Forney location and, when contacted by phone, appeared to have slurred speech and stated he had overslept. On other occasions, Pfileger's speech was slurred and he was late to work or late returning from lunch, causing some patients to leave without being seen.
When questioned about on late arrival on February 28, Pflieger responded, "it must be because [his fiancee] is f---ing my brains out," states the order. "When told that was inappropriate and that he seemed high, Respondent stated, 'I'm in a full blown manic episode and I'm not sleeping.'"
Pflieger was encouraged to see a mental health professional and reported to seeing a psychologist.
Pflieger is also alleged to exhibit inappropriate behavior with staff including an incident in which he slapped the buttocks of a subordinate, kissed another on her face without her permission, and asked another if she was as good in bed as his fiancee.
During an impromptu staff meeting on March 12, 2018, Pflieger announced he was "single again" and "that he had been to the Health and Human Services Offices (HHS) and approached by an office with 'Fraud Department' on the door," states the order. "Respondent stated that he thought he was called to the HHS because President Trump and Bill Gates wanted information on his Train Up Program."
"Respondent then held up his arms and said, 'Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil,' continuing to pray aloud," states the order. "Respondent then concluded, "I'm not drinking. I'm okay. I'm not drinking."
Pfeliger's physical appearance also appeared to deteriorate and, during one three-day period, wore the same sweatpants, red shirt, and had "wild, unkempt" hair.
He also appeared in the Rockwall clinic with a black King Charles Cavalier named "Sadie" which was borrowed from a friend "to help him with his mental health issues."
Pflieger was observed sitting on the floor in the common hallway of the clinic with the dog on his laps, causing patients and parents to walk around him to pass. The dog, otherwise, roamed the clinic freely.
The day before the board's finding, he appeared at work in his pajamas, crying, and very emotional before staff directed him to a primary care provider for medical help.
Pflieger's license will remain suspended until further action or a superseding order is entered by the disciplinary board.
Kurt Pflieger -- Order of Temporary Suspension by inForney.com on Scribd