The Englewood (Colo.) Police Department has turned over a criminal inquiry into a narcotics theft at Englewood-based Swedish Medical Center to federal investigators, according to the Denver Post.
Local police launched their investigation after a Swedish Medical Center operating room employee was reported for pocketing a syringe of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opiate, at the beginning of a surgical procedure in January. The incident triggered viral exposure concerns that resulted in the hospital recommending nearly 3,000 patients get tested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Englewood PD said Thursday the employee, who has since been dismissed, is now the subject of the federal investigation, according to the Post.
"We got some information that was turned over to the Food and Drug Administration. Our investigation is closed," David Jessen, a master patrol officer speaking for the department, told the Post.
The hospital has stated there is no evidence that any patients were put in harm's way during surgeries at which the employee may have been present, and is offering free blood tests to any patients who underwent surgery at Swedish Medical Center from August 15, 2015 to January 22, 2016.
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