48-year-old Steven Beumel, a former Mayo Clinic radiology technician indicted by a federal grand jury. He's accused of switching syringes with patients and infecting at least five of them with Hepatitis C.
The Orange Park man is now facing five counts of tampering with a consumer product resulting in death or serious bodily injury and five counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.
According to the indictment, which was unsealed by the U.S. Attorney's Office Tuesday morning, he could face up to life in prison if convicted on all counts.
Beumel has worked as a tech since 1992, he started at Memorial Hospital then in 2004 got a job at Mayo. He was fired last year after his arrest. Police at that time said he had admitted injecting himself with pain killers intended for patients.
His attorneys claim he did not know he had Hepatitis C. At least one person died as a result.
Mayo Clinic released the following statement;
In August 2010, a 3½-year internal investigation by Mayo Clinic culminated in the firing and subsequent arrest of an employee for diverting injectable fentanyl for personal use. The employee’s actions were linked to the transmission of hepatitis C to three patients. In one of these patients, we believe, the hepatitis contributed to the patient’s death. We continue to extend our deepest condolences to family and friends.
To ensure the safety of all patients and confirm that these incidents were isolated, Mayo Clinic quickly identified all patients who could have been placed at risk by the former employee’s actions and urged them to be tested for hepatitis C.
Since August 2010, Mayo Clinic tested approximately 3,500 patients to determine whether the actions of a former employee exposed them to the virus that causes hepatitis C. This testing is now complete and has identified two more patients who tested positive for hepatitis C that may be related to the former employee’s actions. These patients are receiving appropriate follow-up care.
During the investigation, Mayo Clinic has focused on meeting the needs of the patients who may have been affected by the former employee’s actions. Staff notified patients of test results, answered questions and worked diligently with the Florida Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mayo Clinic has provided free testing, care for affected patients, counseling and a 24-hour information line. The system in place to control narcotics has been strengthened to create even tighter controls, such as putting in place additional narcotic safety and security measures and incorporating procedural changes. Mayo Clinic also expanded its health care drug-screening panel for potential new hires.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to provide safe and effective care to all of our patients,” says Dr. William C. Rupp, chief executive officer of Mayo Clinic in Florida. “Our persistent, 3 1/2 year investigation helped uncover the source of the infections. We appreciate the support and understanding of our patients throughout this process.”
Mayo Clinic continues to cooperate with law enforcement and defers to them regarding any questions on legal aspects of the criminal case.
Further information about hepatitis C is available on the Mayo Clinic website or the CDC website. For additional details and media resources, see Mayo Clinic's News blog.
