South Jersey hospital may have exposed hundreds to HIV

A South Jersey hospital has notified 213 patients of possible exposure to HIV or hepatitis B or C due to a former employee’s alleged drug tampering.

The Atlantic City Prosecutor’s Office has arrested Frederick P. McLeish, 53, for allegedly replacing morphine with saline solution in vials between July 1 and Sept. 27, 2014, at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, an act that could have caused patients to come into contact with an employee’s blood, the Press of Atlantic City has stated.

The medical center is recommending that patients get tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C, NBC reported in a related article.

“We are providing free testing and support through every step and are partnering with local health department agencies during this testing period in order to be extremely cautious,” a hospital statement issued Wednesday was quoted by the Press of Atlantic City.

If convicted of charges stemming from the alleged tampering, McLeish faces up to 10 years in state prison, the Press of Atlantic City reported.