A Dallas surgery center operated by Baylor Scott and White has suspended operations after a doctor’s suspicious death was linked to a possible tainted IV bag at the facility, two sources told NBC 5.
Baylor Scott and White, which operates Surgicare North Dallas on Coit Road, confirmed Friday it has “paused” surgeries at the center after an “IV bag appeared to have been compromised,” the hospital said in a statement Friday.
“We remain focused on assisting investigators,” the statement said.
The short statement does not say which law enforcement agency is investigating or offer other details about how the IV bag appeared to have been compromised.
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The hospital declined to answer questions about whether anyone has been injured or died as a result of possibly tainted IV bags.
Dr. Melanie Kaspar, 55, an anesthesiologist at the surgery center, died on June 21.
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At first, it was believed she died of a heart attack but the Dallas County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death was toxic effects of bupivacaine, a drug used to relieve pain during surgery.
She died after taking home an IV and administering herself fluids because she was feeling dehydrated. She suffered cardiac arrest minutes later, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation said.
A second source confirmed a doctor’s death was part of the investigation.
In its statement, Baylor said, “There is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of our patients.”
The hospital has set up a dedicated phone number for patients with questions. It’s 214-818-2794.
A Dallas police spokesperson confirmed the department is part of an investigation and referred questions to the U.S. Attorney's office, which declined comment.
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