Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, NJ has notified 213 patients by mail that they may have been exposed to HIV and/or hepatitis B/C due to employee drug tampering. An investigation is currently underway at the South Jersey hospital, assisted by the New Jersey Department of Health and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine whether or not patients who received intravenous morphine or hydromorphone medications between June 1, 2013 and September 17, 2014, contracted the deadly diseases.
The hospital has reported that these patients could have come in contact with an employee’s blood as a result of drug tampering. A pharmacist formerly employed by the hospital was recently charged with replacing morphine with saline solution in vials that were administered to patients. Affected patients were told in letters from the hospital that it was this tampering that could have caused them to come in contact with HIV or Hepatitis B/C.
The Department of Health has recommended that, even though the risk of infection is low, each of the 213 affected patients should be tested, out of an abundance of caution.
The pharmacist, 55-year-old Frederick P. McLeish, who has been arrested, could face up to ten years in state prison if convicted of the drug tampering charges.
A dedicated call center has been set-up for patients and families with additional questions. Affected parties can call 609-653-3900 with questions, or to schedule a testing appointment.
New Jersey and Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys
The team of Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Messa & Associates is highly experienced in handling dangerous medical malpractice, drug, and medical device cases. Firm founder, Joseph L. Messa, Jr., has earned multiple seven-, eight-, and nine-figure verdicts and settlements for clients injured by defective drugs. Firm partner, Eric H. Weitz, served as co-counsel on Topamax mass tort cases in Philadelphia that earned over $14 million for victims of Topamax-related birth defects.
Messa & Associates is armed with the right attorneys and the necessary connections to successfully litigate defective drug and medical device claims. If you or a loved one has become infected by the disease associated with drug tampering at Shore Memorial, contact an attorney from Messa & Associates. Call 1-877-MessaLaw for a free consultation or submit an online inquiry for a free case evaluation.