Dallas doctor accused of tainting IV bags pleads not guilty to federal charges
DALLAS - A Dallas doctor charged with tampering with IV bags at a surgery center pleaded not guilty to federal charges on Friday.
Raynaldo Ortiz Jr. is accused of injecting heart-stopping drugs into IV bags while he was working as an anesthesiologist at Baylor Scott and White’s Surgicare North Dallas facility.
Prosecutors said that caused 11 patients to have cardiac emergencies between May and August of this year. One of Ortiz’s co-workers, Dr. Melanie Kaspar, died after using one of the tainted bags.
According to the criminal complaint, the incidents began after Dr. Ortiz, who had a history of disciplinary actions against him, told other physicians that the center was trying to "crucify" him. He was reportedly informed that he could face potential discipline because he allegedly "deviated from the standard of care" during a procedure in which a patient required CPR.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Police arrest North Texas doctor at center of IV bag tampering investigation
- Dallas doctor seen on video swapping IV bags prior to patients suffering heart attacks, complaint says
- Dallas doctor called 'medical terrorist' by prosecutors ordered to remain in custody
- North Texas doctor deemed 'threat to public' has license suspended after patient's death
- Dr. Raynaldo Ortiz, doctor deemed 'threat to public' by Texas Medical Board, had previously been disciplined
- Family members of victim 'outraged' now-arrested Dallas doctor was allowed to practice
Ortiz has been in jail since his arrest on Sept. 14.
Earlier this month, a Dallas County grand jury indicted him on five counts of alteration of drugs.
Friday’s proceeding in federal court is set for 10 a.m.