Former Dallas anesthesiologist found guilty of tampering with IV bags

Dr. Raynaldo Ortiz, a former Dallas anesthesiologist, faces a potential life sentence after being found guilty by a federal jury on Friday on 10 counts related to tampering with IV bags and adulterating drugs.

Following several days of trial testimony, the jury convicted Ortiz on Friday. Chief District Judge David Godbey will now determine Ortiz’s punishment, which could include life imprisonment.

Ortiz was accused of injecting heart-stopping drugs into five IV bags and then placing them in a warming bin for use by other medical staff at Baylor Scott & White’s SurgiCare in North Dallas over a span of five days in August 2022.

Four patients experienced cardiac emergencies during low-risk cosmetic procedures, requiring them to be rushed to the hospital. Ortiz is also suspected in 13 other unexplained emergencies between May and August 2022, although he is only charged with tampering causing serious bodily injury to four patients.

Jurors deliberated on charges 1-5, including tampering with a consumer product (IV bags), four of which resulted in serious bodily injury. They also considered charges 6-10, related to the adulteration of drugs (IV bags).

Ortiz is implicated but not formally charged in the death of fellow anesthesiologist Dr. Melanic Kaspar in June 2022. Kaspar reportedly took an IV bag home to rehydrate herself and subsequently died in front of her husband. Her autopsy revealed a lethal dose of bupivacaine in her system.