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The fourth day of the federal trial against former anesthesiologist Dr. Raynaldo Ortiz concluded on Thursday afternoon. Ortiz is accused of tampering with IV bags, resulting in several medical emergencies and one death.
Facing ten counts related to tampering with and adulterating IV bags at a clinic where he worked, Ortiz pleaded not guilty to the charges at the start of the trial.
During Thursday’s proceedings, multiple witnesses testified, including two anesthesiologists who recounted instances of sudden cardiac emergencies experienced by patients in August 2022.
Dr. Chad Marsden, a seasoned anesthesiologist, provided detailed testimony about anesthesia procedures and how medical professionals respond to emergencies. He also described an incident involving a patient at Baylor Scott & White SurgiCare’s North Dallas location, where the patient’s blood pressure spiked dangerously high after a procedure.
Despite the initial confusion and fear, the patient’s condition improved after being transferred to the hospital. Marsden expressed his bewilderment at the unexplained complication, which was rare in his experience.
Following a similar medical emergency involving a fifth patient, Marsden and clinic administrator Ashley Burks discovered a tiny hole in the IV bag, prompting suspicions of tampering.
Ortiz is accused of injecting IV bags, leading to cardiac emergencies in five patients in August 2022. He is also implicated in the death of fellow anesthesiologist Melanie Kaspar, who collapsed at her home after using an IV bag from the clinic to rehydrate herself.
Testimony included statements from a representative of Baxter Healthcare, the manufacturer of the IV bags, who asserted that the bags passed inspections and were not tampered with before leaving the manufacturing facility.
Surveillance footage showing Ortiz handling IV bags and subsequent medical emergencies was scrutinized by both the prosecution and defense. Ortiz’s defense team.