Medical Board Issues Accusation against Santa Monica Psychiatrist Karen Kleeman for Excessive Prescribing, Negligent Patient Care, etc.

July 8, 2022

On June 18, 2021, the Medical Board of California issued a formal Accusation against Santa Monica psychiatrist Karen Kleeman of gross negligence, repeated negligence, excessive prescribing, prescribing to an addict, furnishing dangerous drugs without a prior examination or medical indication, and inadequate records.

The Board found that Kleeman’s treatment of one patient represented an extreme departure from the standard of care, as she prescribing excessive quantities of benzodiazepines, stimulants, and narcotic medications despite signs that the patient was an addict.  

Kleeman also did not document a valid reason for prescribing tramadol along with Xanax for two patients, nor did she document their responses to the medications.

Her care and treatment of yet another patient represented departures from the standard of care for not adequately monitoring the blood pressure of a patient to whom he was prescribing psychostimulants, as well as for poor record-keeping. 

The Board is seeking to revoke, suspend, or otherwise discipline Kleeman’s medical license for the foregoing.

Source: Accusation in the Matter of the Accusation Against Karen Eve Kleeman, Physician’s & Surgeon’s Certificate No. G 44384, Case No. 800-2018-045302, Medical Board of California, June 18, 2021.