By Dave Thompson
Bismarck, ND – A doctor who testified at a hearing seeking to revoke the license of Fargo Doctor Rodney Lee says it appears Lee had too many patients to give them adequate care and surveillance.
Lee operated five clinics in North Dakota and Minnesota -- and treated patients' pain. He prescribed narcotics -- such as methadone -- for some of his patients. He was the only doctor serving those clinics.
The North Dakota Board of Medical Examiners says Lee used pre-signed forms for physician assistants to use to prescribe medications. A board investigative panel says he did not keep adequate records, and did not keep narcotics under lock and key. During the hearing, Doctor Andrew McLean -- a psychiatrist at the state Hospital in Jamestown -- testified that Lee was over-taxed because of having between 35-thousand and 40-thousand patients.
"I didn't get the impression that Dr. Lee was doing this for other than honorable purposes," testified McLean. "It was quite clear he soon became overwhelmed. And rather than taking the proper route of backing off, getting additional consultation, whatever, it just got out of hand. That's why we'resitting here today."
Lee did not appear at the hearing. His attorney -- John Goff -- sent a letter saying Lee admitted to most of the allegations.
An administrative law judge will make a recommendation to the Board of Medical Examiners.