Family says woman’s death led to accused Ohio doc’s removal

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Lawyers for an Ohio patient’s family say she died after being given a “grossly excessive” dose of pain medication ordered by a doctor who was removed from patient care the following day and is now under investigation in connection with previous deaths.

The Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System removed intensive care doctor William Husel (HYOO’-suhl) from patient care Nov. 21, the day after 82-year-old Melissa Penix (PEHN’-ihks) died.

In a statement Wednesday, her family’s lawyers said Penix received a lethal fentanyl dose of 2,000 micrograms, far more than is typically used. They say a pharmacist approved it, and a nurse administered it.

Mount Carmel found Husel ordered potentially fatal doses for at least 28 patients.

It fired him, publicly apologized and put 23 employees on leave pending investigation.

Husel’s lawyers aren’t commenting.