Wichita ? A Kansas physician linked to 68 overdose deaths operated a “patient mill” in which the volume of people seen at the clinic made it impossible to provide quality medical care, a government expert testified Monday.

His testimony came as the prosecution neared the end of its case against Dr. Stephen Schneider and his wife, Linda, who are charged with unlawfully prescribing controlled substances, health care fraud and money laundering. The government expects to rest its case today.

Prosecutors said the Haysville clinic had more than 10,000 patients, including 5,100 chronic pain patients.

Dr. Doug Jorgensen, a Massachusetts pain management specialist, testified that the number of patients was “beyond excessive,” and the sheer volume would make it difficult to monitor patients. He also said prescription refills were given to patients whose urinary screening tests showed they were not taking their pills, a sign the drugs were being sold.

Jorgensen, who was paid more than $21,000 to review 54 records for prosecutors, told jurors the Schneider Medical Clinic was not a legitimate medical practice.

“It doesn’t even begin to approach our expectation and responsibility to be able provide health care in our communities and our country,” he said.

The indictment alleges the clinic scheduled patients at 10-minute intervals, and Jorgensen testified in his practice he usually sets aside 30 minutes for first-time pain patients. But he acknowledged on cross examination that the national average for a doctor’s office visit is just seven minutes.