Tyler, Texas-based Christus Mother Frances Health System released a statement April 11 following the arrest of a former nurse who was charged with the murder of a patient and is a suspect in at least two other cases that left patients in vegetative states, according to a hospital statement obtained by KLTV.
The nurse, 34-year-old William George Davis, was booked into Smith County (Texas) Jail. Mr. Davis, who was formerly employed with the hospital system, was terminated Feb. 15. The Texas Board of Nursing suspended Mr. Davis' nursing license March 16. The TBN is investigating claims alleging Mr. Davis tampered with three patients at Tyler-based Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital.
In the statement, Christus Mother Frances Health System officials said they believe Mr. Davis acted independently and of his own accord after finding an "unusual and unexplained patient outcome" in the facility's cardiovascular intensive care unit Jan. 25 connected to the nurse, according to the statement.
"Because of our strong commitment to high-quality care, we took swift action and performed a review of the circumstances, including reviews of any unanticipated outcomes," the statement reads. The review resulted in Mr. Davis' immediate removal from all care responsibilities and ultimate termination. "We believe the issues with Mr. Davis were isolated to him and he acted independently and of his own accord," the statement continues.
The hospital shared details on the case with the Texas Board of Nursing and Tyler Police Department and is actively working with them during the ongoing investigation, as well as working with state and national regulatory and accrediting bodies.
"Our policies and federal privacy regulations prevent us from sharing patient health information and the specifics of this active police investigation, but CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler takes any and all concerns surrounding patient safety and security very seriously," the statement reads.