Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla, Calif., is notifying 518 patients of possible infection risk after discovering that Rocky Allen, a former surgical tech who was arrested last week for allegedly diverting drugs at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colo., worked at Scripps Green in 2013.
According to a Scripps statement, Mr. Allen was a surgical technician trainee at Scripps Green from May 9 to June 7, 2013. He was placed on investigatory leave and terminated after a Scripps investigation found him trying to switch a syringe of pain medication with a saline syringe.
Scripps notified the Drug Enforcement Agency at the time of Mr. Allen's termination.
While Mr. Allen was under close supervision during his training period and Scripps officials believe he had little opportunity to successfully divert drugs, the hospital is offering testing to patients who had surgical procedures during Mr. Allen's shifts out of "an abundance of caution." Scripps is working with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency.
Scripps Green Hospital and Swedish Medical Center are not the only hospitals offering patients blood tests due to Mr. Allen's alleged activities: Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Ariz., and HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center in Phoenix also employed Mr. Allen and are offering blood tests to patients.