COLUMBUS — As the number of patients believed to have been prescribed excessive and possibly fatal doses of pain medicine grows, Ohio’s attorney general is urging the State Medical Board to suspend the license of the doctor accused of ordering the medication.
In a statement Thursday, Attorney General Dave Yost says William Husel’s license should be suspended while police and the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System investigate the allegations.
A medical board spokeswoman said Thursday it can’t disclose confidential investigative information. But she noted that the board coordinates with authorities about the timing of administrative actions to protect the integrity of possible criminal investigations.
Messages seeking comment were left with the medical board and Husel’s lawyers, who haven’t publicly discussed the allegations.
Mount Carmel has added seven names to the list of patients it says received excessive pain medicine ordered by Husel, bringing the total number to at least 34, and says most of those got potentially fatal doses. Mount Carmel says it’s investigating whether the patients were near death or might still have had the opportunity to improve.
The hospital has apologized and put six pharmacists and 14 nurses on leave.
A fourth wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Mount Carmel and Husel over the March 2015 death of 65-year-old Jan Thomas, according to a report by WBNS 10-TV.
It alleges Husel fraudulently withheld information about Thomas’ prognosis, led her family to believe she’d die naturally after being removed from life support, and didn’t disclose she’d get lethal fentanyl.
Mount Carmel says it’s adding more safeguards and cooperating with investigators.
The hospital says Husel kept working for weeks after concern was raised and that three patients died during those weeks after getting excessive dosages of medication Husel ordered.
Mount Carmel says it should have expedited its internal investigation and considered immediately removing him.