The State Medical Board of Ohio voted Wednesday to issue a citation to William Husel, which states that he could be disciplined for ordering "excessive" doses of pain medication for at least 34 patients at Mount Carmel Health System.
The board is working to determine if they should permanently revoke Husel’s license, which was suspended January 25.
The citation, obtained by WOSU, discusses six cases in which Husel ordered 1,000 micrograms or more of the pain medication fentanyl. It states that Husel’s acts constitute a “departure from, or the failure to conform to, minimal standards of care of similar practitioners.”
Four of those six cases are the subjects of wrongful death lawsuits against Husel and Mount Carmel Health System, filed by the families of the patients: Janet Kavanaugh, Melissa Penix, James George Allen, and Rebecca Walls. A total of 15 lawsuits have been filed so far.
Husel could face civil penalties of up to $20,000, in addition to other disciplinary actions. He has 30 days to request a hearing with the State Medical Board, if he so chooses.
Husel worked as an anesthesiologist and ICU doctor at Mount Carmel from 2013 until 2018. He was fired from the hospital on Dec. 5, 2018.
The Franklin County Prosecutor's Office is currently reviewing the case.
If you are a Mount Carmel staffer who has information to share, or you believe your loved one or family member was impacted by this case, contact WOSU at paige.pfleger@wosu.org.