A jury convicted an anesthesiologist for injecting dangerous drugs into IV bags, causing one death and numerous injuries, the Justice Department said April 12.
Raynaldo Riviera Ortiz Jr., MD, 60, was charged in September 2022 on allegations he tampered with IV bags at Surgicare North Dallas, a Baylor Scott & White ambulatory surgery center where Dr. Ortiz worked as an independent anesthesiologist.
Between May and August 2022, at least 10 patients experienced cardiac emergencies during operations performed by different physicians. About one month after the issues began, an anesthesiologist at Surgicare North Dallas died while treating herself for dehydration using an IV bag. In August of that year, an 18-year-old patient was rushed to the intensive care unit during a routine sinus surgery.
Physicians at Surgicare North Dallas then began to suspect tainted IV bags.
"Surveillance video shows Ortiz repeatedly retrieving IV bags from the warming bin and replacing them shortly thereafter, not long before the bags were carried into operating rooms where patients experienced complications," the Justice Department said in a news release.
A local lab's tests found the IV bags, which were supposed to contain only saline, held epinephrine, bupivacaine and other medications that can cause these cardiac emergencies.
"Video also showed Ortiz mixing vials of medication and watching as victims were wheeled out by emergency responders," the release said.
Dr. Ortiz was facing disciplinary action at the time for an alleged medical mistake in a surgery and was at risk of losing his medical license. Physicians who testified at the trial said they were confused when their patients' blood pressures suddenly increased, and after reviewing records, they said the emergencies happened shortly after new IV bags were hung.
He was arrested about a week after the Texas Medical Board suspended his license.
On April 12, a jury convicted Dr. Ortiz of four counts of tampering with consumer products resulting in serious bodily injury, one count of tampering with a consumer product, and five counts of intentional adulteration of a drug. He faces a maximum penalty of 190 years in prison, and a sentencing date has not yet been set.
"From the start of this matter, we have focused on our patients and working closely with authorities," a spokesperson for the health system told Becker's. "We trusted that justice would be served. It is important to note that Raynaldo Rivera Ortiz Jr. is an independent anesthesiologist, not an employee of our health system."