COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio doctor under investigation amid allegations that he ordered "excessive and potentially fatal" doses of pain medicine for at least 27 near-death patients in Columbus had previously worked at the Cleveland Clinic.
A statement from the Cleveland Clinic says the doctor was a supervised resident there from 2008 to 2013:
"Today, we learned about the disturbing accusations against our former resident, Dr. William Husel, that took place at a hospital that is not a part of our health system. We are taking this matter very seriously and immediately launched an internal investigation. A preliminary review found that his prescribing history during his employment as a resident at Cleveland Clinic was consistent with appropriate care provided to patients in the intensive care unit.
"He was a resident with us from 2008 to 2013. Multiple safeguards are in place to protect patients from medication errors or excessive doses including electronic health record alerts, pharmacy oversight and routine controlled substance audits."
The Cleveland Clinic says it's conducting an investigation of his work. The statement also says it has multiple safeguards in place to protect patients from medication errors.
The Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System says it has fired the doctor identified as William Husel.
The announcement came after a family sued the doctor and the health system. Case records don't list an attorney to comment on Husel's behalf. There is no public personal phone listing for him.