(DailyDig.com) – An anesthesiologist in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Raynaldo Ortiz, was convicted on April 12 of charges that he injected a “nerve-blocking agent” along with some other drugs into IV bags for patients at his surgical center. This action caused several patients to have cardiac emergencies, and one of his coworkers died.
The 60-year-old anesthesiologist was found guilty on one count of altering a consumer product, four counts of injecting drugs into the IV bags that caused serious injury, and five counts of altering the contents of the drugs in the IV intentionally, according to the prosecutors. Ortiz could face a maximum 190-year sentence.
In September 2022, Ortiz was arrested by Dallas police authorities in Plano, Texas. Chad E. Meacham, the US Attorney, expressed deep concern about the number of incidences of harm to patients that were intentionally caused, which was very disturbing. He stated that law officials, the DOJ, and the Criminal Investigations Office of the FDA worked tirelessly to bring Ortiz to justice.
During the trial, evidence revealed that many patients had cardiac emergencies at the Surgicare in North Dallas during medical procedures that were routine. Many doctors performed these procedures between May 2022 and August 2022. Prosecutors claim that not only did the tainted drugs affect patients, but a fellow anesthesiologist treated herself for dehydration using one of the tampered IV bags, leading to her death.
Ortiz had secretly stored the tampered IV bags in a bin that kept them warm for use in procedures throughout the day. This enabled the bags to be used during the day’s procedures.
During the trial, evidence was revealed that during the time of the cardiac emergencies, Ortiz was under review regarding a medical mistake he allegedly made in a surgery he was involved in, per the prosecutors.
After a seven-hour deliberation, the jury returned with a guilty verdict on all ten counts. Reports stated that Ortiz showed no emotion during the reading of the verdict.
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