An Ohio hospital system is firing 23 employees following an internal investigation into the overdose deaths of 25 patients.
The Mount Carmel Health System announced its plans Thursday, almost five weeks after a former employee of the hospital, Dr. William Husel, pleaded not guilty to the overdose deaths of his patients.
Husel, 43, is accused of deliberately prescribing fatal doses of opioids that led to the deaths of 25 patients. County prosecutor Ron O’Brien said the high doses administered by the Columbus doctor “could not support any legitimate medical purpose.”
In January, Mount Carmel launched an investigation into Husel’s conduct and their own pharmaceutical practices. CEO Ed Lamb, who is planning to resign as a result of the scandal, said a “case-by-case examination of every colleague who was a part of the medication and administration of the affected patients,” as well as management was conducted.
The investigation revealed William Husel, an ICU doctor and anesthesiologist, overprescribed opioids to 35 patients. Husel was suspended last fall and fired in December. Dozens of additional employees were found to be partially liable for the deaths.
Twenty-three, including five managers in charge of physician, nursing, and pharmacy oversight were terminated Thursday. Eleven employees will have to complete additional training and education. One remains on administrative leave.
O’Brien does not plan to charge the nurses and pharmacists involved in the case. He says they were just carrying out Husel’s orders.
“We have the ability to speak up because we have a license and I understand that, but our doctor is our expert and they’re guiding the care,” a Mount Carmel employee told WOSU in January.
Lamb said he will resign by the end of July. Chief Clinical Officer Richard Streck will retire in September.
“These last months have been difficult for our healthcare system, and, in times such as these, new leadership has the ability to facilitate healing and help restore the trust of the community,” Lamb said in a statement.
Husel, who is awaiting trial, maintains he was providing comfort to dying patients, not trying to kill them.
Full Article & Source:
Ohio hospital fires 23 employees after doctor is charged with patient overdose deaths
No comments:
Post a Comment