By Russ Pankonin
The Imperial Republican
Chase County Community Hospital Administrator Lola Jones assured patrons this week there has been no interruption of anesthesia services at the hospital.
On May 17, the hospital’s staff anesthesiologist Dr. Jeff Kasselman was temporally suspended from practicing medicine by the licensure board of Nebraska Health and Human Services.
A complaint was filed with the board against Kasselman, which remains under investigation.
Kasselman will have the opportunity to respond to the complaint in a hearing with the board.  
Jones said she expects Kasselman to return to practice in Imperial in September.
Jones said anesthesia services necessary for surgery have been covered by nurse anesthetists with no lapse in patient care.
Until his return, Jones said Kasselman’s pain clinic patients are being handled by doctors at the Chase County Clinic or by Dr. McKeag in North Platte.