Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, N.J., has warned 213 patients of possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens like HIV and hepatitis B and C due to an employee tampering with drugs, according to a Press of Atlantic City report.
Patients who received intravenous morphine or hydromorphone medications at Shore Medical Center between June 1, 2013, and Sept. 17, 2014, are possibly affected. The hospital sent notices on Feb. 16.
"We are providing free testing and support through every step and are partnering with local health department agencies during this testing period in order to be extremely cautious," according to a hospital statement given to Press of Atlantic City.
A former hospital pharmacist allegedly replaced morphine with saline, potentially exposing patients to his blood. The employee was suspended in September 2014 and later fired. He surrendered his pharmacy license in December 2014.
The employee was arrested in January and charged with drug tampering, theft and drug possession, according to the report.
Shore Medical Center is not the only hospital dealing with a patient safety issue tied to drug tampering — hospitals in Colorado, Arizona and California are offering blood tests to former patients after a surgical technician who worked there allegedly diverted drugs and left behind dirty syringes.