OK Doctor Investigated For Illegally Dumping Medical Waste, Records

The Oklahoma Attorney General's office confirms it is investigating a complaint against an Oklahoma doctor that was brought to their attention by a pro-life group.

The group, called Operation Rescue out of Wichita, Kansas, claims the doctor has dumped medical waste and sensitive medical information into its dumpsters.

And in a six page letter they sent to the Attorney General in January, they claim the doctor has a blatant disregard for his patients, their private medical information and the law.

"What we see is despicable," said Troy Newman, the executive director of Operation Rescue. "We have countless people that have come forward."

Newman says on Tuesday, they received confirmation from the Oklahoma Attorney General's office that they are indeed investigating the claims. He also received confirmation from the state's Medical Licensure Board last month that they are reviewing the claims as well.

"I have stacks and reams of private medical information, that needs to be put in the right hands," said Newman. "Because this man is just disregarding state law and privacy concerns."

In their letter to the attorney general, Operation Rescue claims Dr. Nareshkumar Patel and the Outpatient Services for Women clinic on N.W. 63rd Street violated the law a number of ways including:

• dumping confidential medical records,
• not reporting abortions they have performed,
• improperly disposing medical waste,
• failing to protect and properly dispose of employment applications,
• and failing to observe the 24 hour voluntary and informed consent rule.

"And we have dozens and dozens of his former patients records," said Newman. "These are the most private, the most secure, most sensitive pieces of information. And that shows a callous disregard for the patients and the integrity of his medical practice."

Newman claims all of these records have come from confidential sources, and were brought to their attention last March.

"Mostly they come out of the trash receptacles," said Newman. "Some of the most private information a person can have should not be disposed of into a place that is just open for public scrutiny."

News 9 did reach out to Dr. Patel and the clinic for comment. They did not return our calls.

Back in 1994, Dr. Patel was put on trial on allegations he sexually assaulted some of his patients, but a jury found him not guilty and acquitted him of all charges. A search of News 9 archives also reveal Patel made national news in 1992, for admitting he dumped and burned fetuses in a field near Shawnee.