State of Nevada
Board of Medical Examiners

FORMAL DISCIPLINARY ACTION TAKEN BY THE NEVADA STATE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS:
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FORMAL COMPLAINT
JUNE 5, 1992
The Board filed a formal complaint against Dr. Bass, charging him with one count of gross malpractice.
Copies of the Complaint 6 pages
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NOVEMBER 19, 1992
The Board filed an amended formal complaint against Dr. Bass, charging him with an additional count of repeated malpractice and an additional count of continual failure to exercise the skill or diligence or use the methods ordinarily exercised under the same circumstances by physicians in good standing practicing in the same specialty of surgery.
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DECEMBER 23, 1993
The Board found Dr. Bass guilty of all allegations of the complaint, and ordered that his license to practice medicine in Nevada be revoked, the revocation stayed and that he be placed on probation for 3 years with the following conditions: 1) he must cease performing laparoscopic surgeries immediately; 2) all surgeries he performs, other than minor office procedures which can be safely performed in an office setting, must be performed in a JCAHO-approved health care facility with the assistance of an American Board of Surgery certified Nevada licensed surgeon; 3) he must file with the Board a timely report concerning any surgery he performs, including a copy of the patient's history and physical, laboratory tests and x-rays, operational notes, and immediately report any adverse surgical outcomes; and 4) he must complete 120 hours of continuing medical education in the area of surgery including successfully passing the 1994 American College of Surgeons Surgical Education and Self-Assessment program.
Copies of Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order 12 pages
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APPEAL BY DR. BASS OF THE BOARD'S ORDER:
Dr. Bass appealed to the District Court and then to the Nevada
Supreme Court, which upheld the decision of the Board. He then
sought review by the U.S. Supreme Court by Petition of Writ of Certiorari
and his petition was denied.
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FORMAL COMPLAINT
JUNE 16, 2006
At an Emergency Board meeting on June 16, 2006, the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners summarily suspended the medical license of Harriston Bass, M.D. A Formal Complaint was filed against Dr. Bass alleging violations of the
following NAC and NRS statutes: NAC 630.040 and NRS 630.301 (4) on nine counts, for failing to use the reasonable care, skill or knowledge ordinarily used under similar circumstances in providing care and treatment to patients, which constitutes malpractice under that statute; NRS 630.306(5) for practicing or offering to practice beyond the scope
permitted by law or performing services which the licensee knows or has reason to know that he is not competent to perform; NRS 630.306 (2) (c) for engaging in any conduct which is in violation of a regulation adopted by the State Board of Pharmacy;
NRS 630.3062(1) which states that failure to maintain timely, legible, accurate and complete medical records relating to the diagnosis, treatment and care of a patient is grounds for discipline; NAC 630.2301(l) for failure to adhere to Model Guidelines for the Use of Controlled Substances for the Treatment of Pain;
NRS 630.306 (3) for administering, dispensing or prescribing any controlled substance, or any dangerous drug as defined in Chapter 454 of NRS, to or for himself or to others except as authorized by law. The Board suspended the medical license, as any continued medical practice during pendency of time necessary for a hearing on the Complaint would endanger the health, safety and welfare of the public in the state of Nevada. pc
Copies of Complaint and Request for Summary Suspension: 9 pages
Copies of Order of Summary Suspension of License: 3 pages
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FORMAL COMPLAINT
June 18, 2008
The Investigative Committee of the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners filed a formal complaint against Harriston Bass, M.D. following a criminal trial concluded on March 5, 2008 in which a jury found Respondent guilty of one count of Sale of a Controlled Substance Causing Death (Second Degree Murder), a Category A Felony,
forty-nine counts of Sale of a Controlled Substance, all Category C Felonies, and six counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Sale, all Category D Felonies. On or about April 22, 2008, Respondent was sentenced for conviction of the criminal counts. Thereafter, on or about May 6, 2008, a Judgment of Conviction related to the criminal sentencing was filed with the Clark County District Court. Per Count I, NRS 630.301(11)(a) provides that a conviction of murder, voluntary manslaughter or mayhem is grounds for discipline. Respondent violated the statute when he was convicted of one count of Sale of a Controlled Substance Causing Death. Per Count II, NRS 630.301(11)(f) provides that a violation of any state law regulating the possession, distribution or use of any controlled substance or dangerous drug as defined in Chapter 454 of the NRS is grounds for disciplinary action. Respondent was charged with the violation when he was convicted of Sale of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Sale. pc
Copies of Complaint: 17 pages
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February 6, 2009
The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners (Board) entered its Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order, whereby, Harriston Bass, M.D. was convicted of one count of Sale of a Controlled Substance Causing Death (Second Degree Murder), a Category A Felony, forty-nine counts of Sale of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Sale, all Category D Felonies; Respondent violated NRS 630.301(11)(a) and NRS 630.301(11)(f) and the Board Ordered: Respondents license is revoked; he shall reimburse the Board all costs and fees incurred in the amount of $51,719.46 within one year of the date of service of the Order and pay a fine in the amount of $10,000.00 within one year from the date of the Order. pc.
Copies of Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order: 5 pages