Patients Sue Hospital For Medication Mix-Up, Negligence

Sixteen patients and patient relatives have filed a lawsuit against Pittsburgh-based Jefferson Hospital, alleging that the healthcare facility was negligent in 2012 when a hospital pharmacy technician stole painkillers and replaced the drug with pills that do nothing for pain. The stolen Oxycodone was meant to ease the severe pain of patients, including several who have been diagnosed with late-stage cancer, the lawsuit claimed. Other patients that needed the pain medication were recovering from amputation or surgery, or were victims of an accident.