A former physician at Columbus, Ohio-based Mount Carmel West accessed high doses of powerful pain medications by overriding warnings and pharmacist pre-approvals in dozens of cases, The Columbus Dispatch reports.
What you should know:
1. In January, the Ohio Department of Health reviewed records for 27 patients and found William Husel, MD, used overrides in 24 cases.
2. Dr. Husel was fired Dec. 5, 2018, after being accused of ordering excessive painkiller doses for 34 intensive-care patients, most of them potentially fatal.
3. At risk of losing Medicare funding, Columbus-based Mount Carmel Health System prepared a plan of correction for CMS. The agency approved the plan Feb. 12, NBC4i reports.
4. Health system leaders said they've strengthened policies and education efforts since the alleged issues came to light.
5. At least 16 lawsuits have been filed regarding the allegations.