Doctor sues hospital that revoked privileges

GRETNA – A cardiologist is suing a local hospital and several doctors who voted to suspend his privileges.

Dr. Bahram Zamanian filed suit against Jefferson Parish Hospital Service District No. 2, East Jefferson General Hospital, Richard Airhart M.D., Robert Brousse M.D., Raymond DeCorte M.D., Eric Ehrensing M.D., John Lindsey M.D., Sideny Raymond M.D. and Joseph Uddo M.D. in the 24th Judicial District Court on May 16.

Zamanian alleges that he had been implanting pacemakers in patients since the early 1980s and had privileges to perform as a cardiologist since 2007, which were renewed on April 28, 2010 without restriction. However, on February 16, 2011 the plaintiff claims he received a letter informing him that his cardiologist privileges had been suspended by the Medical Executive Committee due to eight cases he handled that were reviewed by the Medical Staff Appropriateness of Care Committee. Zamanian asserts that after an appeal a hearing panel found that Zamanian’s suspension was warranted and should be made permanent and that he should be supervised for the next 50 echocardiograms. The plaintiff further appealed the hearing panel’s recommendations which affirmed the panel’s finding and recommendation on Nov. 20, 2013, of which the plaintiff claims he was not alerted to until Jan. 9.

Zamanian alleges he was discriminated against by the Medical Executive Committee after he questioned some of their procedures and that in actuality he had fewer mortalities than cardiologists whose privileges had not been suspended. The plaintiff also asserts that the Medical Executive Committee relied on a case that had occurred several years before their ruling.

The defendants are accused of breach of contract.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for an injunctive relief ordering a new hearing on his suspension, injunctive relief prohibiting the reporting of a summery suspension to a third party data bank, recovery of lost income as a result of the suspension, mental anguish, intentional infliction of emotional distress and damage to professional and personal reputation.

Zamanian is represented by Al M. Thompson of New Orleans-based Thompson, Gibbons & Westholz LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division J Judge Stephen C. Grefer.

Case no. 738-547.