Hicks, Terry Robert (VET 6321)
Palm Desert, CA
On February 24, 2023, a $5,000 citation was issued to Terry Robert Hicks (VET 6321) for THE following: failing to perform a dental procedure on a patient without indication of a plan or cause and without obtaining informed consent prior to the procedure, failing to obtain and secure intravenous access to a patient prior to or during anesthesia or when cardiopulmonary arrest was recognized, failing to perform orotracheal intubation on a patient prior to providing Isoflurane general anesthesia, during the dental procedure, or after initiation of basic life support during arrest, administering an inappropriate dose of epinephrine to a patient during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, failing to place an intravenous catheter, orotracheal intubation for end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring/drug administration, and placement of electrocardiogram during care of the arrested patient, and failing to perform a physical examination of a patient within 12 hours prior to the administration of general anesthetic. The citation was satisfied on March 20, 2023. (BPC § 4883 (i) & (o); & CCR, Title 16, § 2032.4 (b)(1)). Click here to obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
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BEFORE THE
VETERINARY MEDICAL BOARD
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
In the Matter of the Citation Against:
Terry Robert Hicks, DVM,
Veterinarian License No. VET 6321,
Respondent
Citation No. 4602018000725
CITATION
Complainant alleges:
PARTIES
1. Jessica Sieferman (“Complainant”) brings this Citation solely in her official capacity
as the Executive Officer of the Veterinary Medical Board (“Board”), Department of
Consumer Affairs, State of California.
2. The Board’s records reveal that Terry Robert Hicks, DVM (“Respondent”) has
been issued a Veterinarian License Number VET 6321.
STATUATORY PROVISIONS
3. Business and Professions Code (BPC) sections 125.9 and 4875.2, authorize
the Executive Officer of the Board to issue citations containing orders of
abatement and/or administrative fines against a licensee of the Board, or to an
unlicensed person, who has committed any acts or omissions in violation of the
Veterinary Medicine Practice Act (Act).
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4. BPC section 4883 provides, in pertinent part:
The Board may deny, revoke, or suspend a license or registration or assess a fine
as provided in Section 4875 for any of the following:
[ . . . ]
(i) Fraud, deception, negligence, or incompetence in the practice of veterinary
medicine.
[ . . . ]
(o) Violation, or the assisting or abetting violation, of any regulations adopted by
the Board pursuant to this chapter of the Veterinary Practice Act.
[ . . . ]
REGULATORY PROVISIONS
5. CCR, Title 16, section 2032.4 states, in pertinent part:
[ . . . ]
(b) When administering general anesthesia, a veterinarian shall comply with the
following standards:
(1) Within twelve (12) hours prior to the administration of a general anesthetic, the
animal patient shall be given a physical examination by a licensed veterinarian
appropriate for the procedure. The results of the physical examination shall be
documented in the animal patient’s medical records.
[ . . . ]
CAUSE FOR CITATION
6. On or about October 20, 2017, Respondent performed a dental procedure on
Patient A without indication of a plan or cause and without obtaining informed
consent by the animal patient’s owner prior to the procedure. Such conduct
constitutes a violation of BPC section 4883, subdivision (i), negligence.
7. On or about October 20, 2017, Respondent failed to obtain and secure intravenous
access in Patient A prior to or during general anesthesia, or when cardiopulmonary
arrest was recognized. Such conduct constitutes a violation of BPC section 4883,
subdivision (i), negligence.
8. On or about October 20, 2017, Respondent failed to perform orotracheal intubation
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of Patient A prior to providing Isoflurane general anesthesia, during the dental
procedure, or after initiation of basic life support during arrest. Such conduct
constitutes a violation of BPC section 4883, subdivision (i), negligence.
9. On or about October 20, 2017, Respondent administered an inappropriate dose
and route of administration for epinephrine to Patient A during cardiopulmonary
resuscitation. Such conduct constitutes a violation of BPC section 4883,
subdivision (i), incompetence.
10.On or about October 20, 2017, Respondent failed to place an intravenous catheter,
orotracheal intubation for end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring/drug administration,
and placement of electrocardiogram during care of the arrested Patient A. Such
conduct constitutes a violation of BPC section 4883, subdivision (i), negligence.
11.On or about October 20, 2017, Respondent failed to perform a physical
examination on Patient A within 12 hours prior to the administration of general
anesthetic. Such conduct constitutes a violation of BPC section 4883, subdivision
(o), based upon a violation of CCR, Title 16, section 2032.4, subsection (b)(1),
negligence.
DETERMINATION OF ISSUES
CAUSE OF ACTION
12.Violations exist pursuant to BPC section 4883, subdivision (i), as set forth above
in Paragraph 6. A cause of action thereby exists.
13.Violations exist pursuant to BPC section 4883, subdivision (i), as set forth above
in Paragraph 7. A cause of action thereby exists.
14.Violations exist pursuant to BPC section 4883, subdivision (i), as set forth above
in Paragraph 8. A cause of action thereby exists.
15.Violations exist pursuant to BPC section 4883, subdivision (i), as set forth above
in Paragraph 9. A cause of action thereby exists.
16.Violations exist pursuant to BPC section 4883, subdivision (i), as set forth above
in Paragraph 10. A cause of action thereby exists.
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17.Violations exist pursuant to BPC section 4883, subdivision (o), based upon a
violation of CCR, Title 16, section 2032.4, subsection (b)(1), as set forth above
in Paragraph 11. A cause of action thereby exists.
PENALTY
18.In compliance with BPC sections 125.9 and 4875.2 and CCR, Title 16, section
2043, it is determined that:
Respondent be cited for a Class “C” violation in the amount of $2,000 for the
Cause for Citation, based upon a determination that the above-described facts
as set forth in Paragraph 6, constitute a violation of BPC section 4883,
subdivision (i).
Respondent be cited for a Class “C” violation in the amount of $2,000 for the
Cause for Citation, based upon a determination that the above-described facts
as set forth in Paragraph 7, constitute a violation of BPC section 4883,
subdivision (i).
Respondent be cited for a Class “C” violation in the amount of $3,000 for the
Cause for Citation, based upon a determination that the above-described facts
as set forth in Paragraph 8, constitute a violation of BPC section 4883,
subdivision (i).
Respondent be cited for a Class “C” violation in the amount of $2,000 for the
Cause for Citation, based upon a determination that the above-described facts
as set forth in Paragraph 9, constitute a violation of BPC section 4883,
subdivision (i).
Respondent be cited for a Class “C” violation in the amount of $2,000 for the
Cause for Citation, based upon a determination that the above-described facts
as set forth in Paragraph 10, constitute a violation of BPC section 4883,
subdivision (i).
Respondent be cited for a Class “C” violation in the amount of $2,000 for the
Cause for Citation, based upon a determination that the above-described facts
as set forth in Paragraph 11, constitute a violation of BPC section 4883,
subdivision (o) based upon a violation of CCR, Title 16, section 2032.4,
subsection (b)(1).
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19.In compliance with BPC sections 125.9 and 4875.2, and CCR, Title 16, section 2043,
subsection (c), the total penalty for the above violations is $13,000. However, pursuant
to BPC section 125.9 subdivision (b)(3), in no event shall the administrative fee
assessed by the Board exceed $5,000. Therefore, total penalty due is $5,000.
ORDER OF ABATEMENT
The Board hereby orders Respondent to cease and desist from violating BPC section
4883, subdivisions (i), (o); CCR, Title 16, sections 2032.4, subsections (b)(1).
DATE JESSICA SIEFERMAN
Executive Officer
Veterinary Medical Board
Department of Consumer Affairs
State of California
February 24, 2023 Signature on file