A police investigation into a recent spike in patient deaths at the DaVita Lufkin Dialysis Center is believed to be the result of a criminal act by an employee who has since been fired, a company spokesman said Friday.
"We believe the events that led to our voluntarily closing the Lufkin Dialysis center are the result of a criminal act by an individual who has been terminated and is no longer working at the center," said DaVita spokesman Michael Chee.
Andy Adams/The Lufkin Daily News |
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Lufkin Police Department confirmed it is investigating allegations of criminal intent by one employee, saying it is a "large part of the investigation" but "not the entire focus of the investigation," said spokesman Lt. David Young.
"The investigation is focused on a lot of things, including an investigation into one person," Young said.
Chee said the employment of the teammate, a term the company uses for its employees, was terminated April 29, a day after the company contacted state health investigators and LPD about a recent spike in patient deaths and life-threatening complications. The spokesman said the teammate was a long-time employee, but would not release the hiring date because of personnel privacy issues.
DaVita and LPD are not releasing further information about the employee because of the ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made, and no charges filed, Young said.
State health officials concluded their investigation into patient deaths at the 700 S. John Redditt Drive facility this week. A report is expected to be released in the coming weeks. Investigators with LPD and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are continuing to compile information, which includes lab testing of patient blood samples, equipment and drugs used at the center. Investigators are also continuing to interview patients and review patient medical history, a police spokesman said.
The number of patient deaths has not been released.
"It's hard to put a firm number on (the deaths) because we have to look at medical history ... and determine which were natural," Young said.
Since Davita temporarily closed its doors at the end of April, more than 120 patients have been sent from the Lufkin center for care at surrounding facilities to which they are being bused at the company's expense, said Chee in a previous interview.He said the company is working closely with state health officials and hopes to reopen its doors soon.
"We would like very much to reopen our facility as soon as possible. we know our patients are calling and asking when we will open," he said "But it won't happen until state health authorities notify us.
DaVita, Inc., is a nationwide kidney care service company that serves more than 100,000 patients in 43 states at its more than 1,300 outpatient facilities, according to the company.
