Prescribing ‘Crazy, Outrageous Amounts’ Of Painkillers Could Land Doctor In Jail For Life
In a rare case for a physician, Dr. Hsiu-Ying "Lisa" Tseng was convicted of second-degree murder in October after three of her patients died. In other hospital personnel news, the nurses union at Ventura County Medical Center says that noncompetitive wages are leading to patient safety issues.
The Associated Press:
Doctor Faces Life Sentence For Over-Prescribing Painkillers
A doctor convicted of murder for prescribing "crazy, outrageous amounts" of painkillers that left three patients dead could get life in prison at her sentencing scheduled for Friday. Dr. Hsiu-Ying "Lisa" Tseng's second-degree murder conviction in October is rare for a physician. It came after a dozen of her patients died during an epidemic of prescription drug abuse. The powerful painkillers Tseng prescribed included oxycodone, sold as Percocet and other brand names, and hydrocodone, popularly known under the brand name Vicodin. (Myers, 2/5)
The Ventura County Star:
VCMC Nurses Say Wages, Turnover Compromise Care
Leaders of a nurses union at Ventura County Medical Center say noncompetitive wages spawned high infection rates and other patient safety issues by pushing experienced nurses to private hospitals. They cited Medicare fines over infections and other injuries acquired by patients after being admitted. The nurses are set to meet with county administrators Friday as part of a bargaining process that followed temporary raises. (Kisken, 2/4)