Doctor Pleads Guilty to Stealing Opiates From Hospital
Doctor Pleads Guilty to Stealing Opiates From Hospital
An anesthesiologist plead guilty after he was charged with stealing Demerol, hydromorphone, morphine, fentanyl, ketamine, and midazolam from a hospital.
A Muncie anesthesiologist plead guilty after he was charged with stealing drugs from a hospital, and using them during procedures.
Prosecutors say Dr. Jose Ramos stole opiates from IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in October 2015, and used them during seven medical procedures. Ramos plead guilty to possession of a narcotic and criminal recklessness, according to prosecutors.
After taking part in the procedures, other staff members noticed something was off. Ramos was going to the bathroom in between every one of his cases, and he wasn’t making eye contact by the end of the day. He underwent a drug screen, which turned up the drugs.
When confronted, Ramos admitted that he had an addiction to pharmaceutical controlled substances.
After he was confronted by another superior, Ramos took a leave of absence from the hospital and entered into a physician addiction treatment program in Florida.
According to court documents, Ramos stole the following drugs:
- Demerol (Meperidine)
- Hydromorphone
- Morphine
- Fentanyl
- Ketamine
- Midazolam
Approximate date(s) of the diversion:
10/1/2015
Where the Diversion Occurred:
Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital
2401 W University Ave Muncie Indiana 47303
Type of Healthcare Facility:
Hospital
Person Diverting:
Jose Antonio Ramos
Profession of the person diverting:
Anesthesiologist
Has the incident been reported?
e.g. to local law enforcement, county board of health, state licensure board, and/or federal DEA or FDA authorities?
Yes
To whom has the incident been reported?
Diversion at Hospital without Patient Injuries or Fines
Publicly available news reports about the incident: