Probe Launched Into Patient Death Under Fill-In Nurses
Law enforcement and state health officials are investigating the death of a 66-year-old female cancer patient at the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland. Hospital officials said the patient had been under the care of a temporary replacement nurse, who had been hired in response to last week's California Nurses Association strike over a contract and benefits dispute. A police spokesperson said the replacement nurse allegedly gave the patient a fatal dose of medication, which the hospital described as an "extraordinarily rare" medical error. Steve O'Brien, chief medical officer at the hospital, said the medical center is conducting three investigations of its own and cooperating with the local police, coroner's and California Department of Public Health investigations.
- "Patient Dies Under Care of Fill-In Nurse in Oakland" (Kane/Wildermuth, San Francisco Chronicle, 9/25).
- "Death of Oakland Woman Killed by Nursing Mistake Prompts Controversy, Investigations" (Maher/Benca, San Jose Mercury News, 9/25).