Psychiatrist Patrick Kin-Yee Chau: Disciplinary Actions in California, Iowa, Washington

February 18, 2020

On February 13, 2020 the Iowa Board of Medicine reported that it had entered into a Consent Agreement with psychiatrist Patrick Kin-Lee Chau, which consisted of the issuance of a medical license and also a Citation and Warning regarding his failure to meet the minimum standard of care with respect to patients he treated while practicing in Washington state.

On May 25, 2006, the Washington Medical Quality Assurance Commission (Washington Commission) summarily suspended Dr. Chau’s Washington medical license pending further investigation of allegations that Dr. Chau inappropriately prescribed amphetamine and/or methamphetamine for weight loss and/or depression; failed to properly monitor patients while on these medications; failed to maintain accurate medical records for these patients; and failed to conduct appropriate testing and evaluations, resulting in a substantial threat of harm to his patients. 

On November 8, 2006, the Washington Commission reinstated Dr. Chau’s Washington medical license, and placed him on probation for a period of two years after finding that Dr. Chau’s treatment of the patients at issue fell below the standard of care. 

On December 27, 2006, the Medical Board of California (California Board) filed an accusation based on the 2006 disciplinary action taken by the Washington Commission. 

On March 1, 2007, Dr. Chau and the California Board entered into a stipulated agreement whereby Dr. Chau surrendered his California medical license. 

On July 15, 2008, the Washington Commission found that an immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare existed if Dr. Chau’s medical license remained unrestricted, and entered a summary order restricting Dr. Chau from prescribing any benzodiazepines, thyroid medications, or stimulants pending final resolution of the pending matter. 

On October 15, 2009, the Washington Commission found that Dr. Chau engaged in unprofessional conduct and violated the terms of his probation by prescribing large doses and large amounts of addicting medication; failed to obtain necessary medical records for his patients; failed to document patient pain complaints; failed to appropriately monitor his patients; and failed to produce records in response to the Washington Commission’s investigation.

The Washington Commission again placed Dr. Chau’s medical license on probation indefinitely, until he completed the terms of his probation. 

On November 15, 2012, the Washington Commission found that Dr. Chau again engaged in unprofessional conduct and violated the terms of his probation by improperly prescribing medications and failing to record his treatment of two patients. The Washington Commission again placed Dr. Chau on probation. 

On November 3, 2017, Dr. Chau completed the terms of his Washington probation.

On February 13, 2020, the Iowa Board granted Dr. Chau a permanent Iowa medical license and issued him a Citation and Warning for failing to meet the minimum standard of care with respect to the care of his patients in Washington, as described above.

Source: "The Iowa Board of Medicine has issued public orders involving THREE (3) cases before the Board," press release of the Iowa Board of Medicine, February 17, 2020. URL: https://medicalboard.iowa.gov/document/iowa-board-medicine-has-issued-public-orders-involving-three-3-cases-board