UNSAFE PRACTICES ALLEGED AT ANOTHER VALLEY CLINIC

Health inspectors have observed staff at another Las Vegas Valley surgical center engaging in risky medical practices that could spread deadly diseases to patients.

The Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Center, 3196 S. Maryland Parkway, was inspected recently by the state's Bureau of Licensure and Certification. While there, inspectors witnessed staff reusing syringes throughout the day, Mike Willden, administrator of the state's Department of Health and Human Services, announced on Friday.

The center is the second in Southern Nevada where health inspectors found medical personnel routinely reusing syringes.

"It is more widespread than what we ever dreamed of," Dr. Ishan Azzam, the state's epidemiologist, said of the unsafe practices at ambulatory surgery centers. "Whenever you are having unsafe injection practices, you are putting others at risk."

The surprise inspection was part of a sweeping probe of medical practices at the state's 50 ambulatory surgery centers. The probe began after a massive health alert resulted in the closure of the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada on Shadow Lane as well as several other valley facilities operated by the same doctors.

Meanwhile, the FBI and IRS have launched Medicare fraud investigations of the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada.

Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., confirmed Thursday that the investigations focus on allegations the center billed Medicare for visits of more than 30 minutes when doctors spent less than half that amount of time with a patient. Porter said he learned of the probes during a Feb. 29 briefing in Las Vegas with Dr. Lawrence Sands, chief health officer for the Southern Nevada Health District.

Dr. Dipak Desai, majority owner of the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada, agreed Friday to stop practicing medicine, the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners said. Desai made the decision voluntarily at the board's request "until the board's investigation into the operations and allegations concerning the Center has been completed," a board news release stated.

The facility became the focal point of a massive health alert when health officials found clinic staffers reused syringes and vials containing anesthesia medication. Six center patients contracted hepatitis C because of the unsafe medical practices, health officials say.

MONDAY

Sales-tax break for Monorail extended

The Nevada Tax Commission extended the Las Vegas Monorail's sales-tax exemption, a move that could save the struggling rapid transit line millions of dollars should it gather the financing needed to build an extension to McCarran International Airport.

The monorail has been recognized by the state as a charitable organization since its inception and the commission voted unanimously to extend the sales-tax exemption for the next five years.

Curtis Myles, president and chief executive of the Las Vegas Monorail Co., told the commission that the company saves about $90,000 annually in sales taxes because of the exemption.

TUESDAY

McCarran traffic drops in January

Traffic at McCarran International Airport fell 2.8 percent in January to about 3.6 million arrivals and departures.

The starkest decline among the top air carriers in the market belongs to US Airways, the second-biggest airline at McCarran, which posted a near 24 percent decrease for the month.

Southwest, McCarran's largest carrier, and Delta, the fourth largest, were the only two among the top five airlines serving Las Vegas to post increases in January.

WEDNESDAY

Two-thirds sought on tax hike votes

Former state Controller Steve Martin filed an initiative petition that would require a two-thirds affirmative vote by the public on ballot questions to increase taxes.

Martin noted that the state constitution requires a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature on tax bills and the same requirement should apply when citizens vote on tax increases. Now, only a simple majority vote is needed when citizens decide ballot initiatives that would raise taxes.

THURSDAY

City of Las Vegas lays off 31 workers

The slumping economy has led to 31 positions being eliminated at the city of Las Vegas.

A shortfall in the Building and Safety Enterprise Fund, whose employees check construction plans and perform inspections in the field, led to the layoffs from its staff.

FRIDAY

Gaming revenues down 4.75 percent

Statewide, gaming revenues in January fell almost 5 percent in a year-over-year comparison.

Casinos won $1.064 billion from gamblers in January, 4.75 percent below the $1.117 billion won in January 2007. On the Strip, casinos won $597.3 million during the month, off 1.33 percent compared with $605.4 million won a year ago. The figures were released by the Gaming Control Board.

Frank Streshley, the control board's senior research analyst, said severe weather kept gamblers from reaching casinos in the northern part of the state.

COMPILED BY MICHAEL SQUIRES

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