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An Ohio doctor was charged with 25 counts of murder for allegedly ordering lethal doses of pain medication to patients while he was working as an intensive care physician.
William Husel, 43, former doctor of Mount Carmel Health in Columbus, went to the police on Wednesday morning.
According to the authorities, he pleaded not guilty to charges laid between 2015 and 2018.
"This violation of the doctor's oath is baseless and worthy of today's actions – and this begins the process of criminal accountability for this murderer," Chief of Police Tom Quinlan said Wednesday. A press conference with Franklin County Attorney Ron O Brien.
Amy Pfaff said her 63-year-old mother, Beverlee Schirtzinger, had died under Husel's care in October 2017, after prosecutors said they had received 500 micrograms of Fentanyl, an excessive amount considered a lethal dose. Schirtzinger's family said that she had been told that her prognosis was bleak – something she is questioning.
O & # 39; Brien said Wednesday that the authorities were focused on cases involving Husel in which 500 micrograms or more of Fentanyl had been prescribed.
"The expert witnesses we spoke to said, with certainty, that a dose at this level could not support any legitimate medical purpose and that a dose at that level would cause the death of someone." ", said O. Brien at the press conference.
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This violation of the doctor's oath is vile and worthy of the actions of today.
Each murderer is liable to a 15-year sentence if sentenced, said O. Brien. He stated that the authorities had no motive.
Quinlan said that around December 7, 2018, detectives had received reports that "many patients" had died while he was being treated by Husel while he was at Mount Carmel Health. The hospital had previously indicated that a staff member had warned him of the doctor's behavior, triggering his investigation. A hospital lawyer then made contact with the authorities, said O. Brien.
Kantele Franko / AP
Authorities have investigated the circumstances surrounding the deaths of about 35 patients, Quinlan said.
"The detectives have examined about 35,000 pages of documents, consulted health professionals and conducted numerous interviews with witnesses and relatives of the deceased," he said.
Mount Carmel Health, which is now facing numerous lawsuits, issued a public apology when the news was announced.
In a statement Wednesday, Mount Carmel Health said, "We appreciate the leadership of the county attorney and his ongoing commitment to justice.After the discovery of Dr. Husel's acts, we warned the relevant authorities, including We have shared information with them and will continue to cooperate fully throughout their investigation.Mount Carmel has made and will continue to implement significant changes throughout our system so to ensure that such events do not happen again. "
"Nothing is more important to Mount Carmel than the safety of our patients and their trust in us." Providing compassionate care to patients and their families is one of our most sacred responsibilities. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families of patients affected by this tragedy, "the statement said.
"At the request of the County Attorney and since it is now proceeding criminal proceedings, Mount Carmel will no longer comment on the facts or circumstances surrounding the care provided by Mr. Husel." For more information on Mount Carmel's earlier statements and actions regarding Dr. Husel, visit the facts page on MountCarmelHealth.com, "added the hospital.
Husel was discharged from the hospital in December, according to the Associated Press. His lawyer stated that his client did not intend to kill anyone and that he had not committed murder for mercy, according to ABC's affiliate News, WSYX-TV.
His bond was set at $ 1 million.
Pfaff said it hoped that US hospitals would learn from this case and develop policies and procedures to prevent and report by acts such as those of which Husel is accused.
"She (her mother) was the most caring person and if she was still alive today, she would have heard about it on the news, she was sure that she would have cried for all those families," she said. said Pfaff Wednesday. "She would encourage me."
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