Medical Board Disciplines Psychiatrist Saleh Parvez; Failed to Handle Patient Lithium Toxicity

March 21, 2019

On February 28, 2019, the Florida Board of Medicine issued a "Letter of Concern" on psychiatrist Saleh Parvez, of Silver Lining Psychiatry in Orlando. 

According to the Board's documents, on Decemeber 7, 2016, Parvez began treating a 30-year-old female patient who was admittdd ot University Behavioral Center ("UBC") while suffering from acute psychotic symptoms and was placed under his care. The patient remained under his care for approximately 11 days. 

On the date of the patient's admission, Parvez began treating her with lithium and continued to do so for 10 days. 

The patient had previously been treated with two medications for hypertension. Parvez continued to prescribe both to the patient as well. 

During the course of the patient's treatment at UBC, her condition worsened. She experienced incontinence and increasing levels of confusion. After falling in the shower on December 18, the patient was transferred to a medical hospital, where it was determined that she was suffering from lithium toxicity, from which she suffered kidney failure, necessitating dialysis treatment. 

The Board noted that Parvez failed to note that the two drugs that the patient was already on had known adverse chemical interactions with lithium which presented a risk of lithium toxicity; failed to monitor the patient for signs of lithium toxicity; and failed to immediately discontinue treatment with lithium when she began experiencing symptoms of lithium toxicity.

The Board determined that Parvez's departures from the standard of care constituted medical malpractice. 

In addition to the Letter of Concern, the Board imposed a $5,000 fine plus the Board's costs of investigation. 

Source: Final Order, Department of Health vs. Saleh M. Parvez, M.D., DOH Case No 2017-00145, Lic. No. ME0116301, Florida Board of Medicine, February 28, 2019.