Letters were sent out to more than 200 patients alerting them to get tested.
SOMERS POINT -- A South Jersey hospital is warning more than 200 patients that they may have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis as a result of alleged drug tampering by a former employee.
Shore Medical Center sent out letters last week to inform 213 patients who received intravenous morphine or hydromorphine medicines between June 1, 2013, and Sept. 17, 2014, that they could have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis B or C.
The letters follow an investigation of alleged drug tampering by an employee at the hospital.
"We have been working with public health authorities to determine if patients could have been exposed to blood borne pathogens at Shore through contact with this employee's blood," according to a statement issued by Shore Medical.
Frederick P. McLeish, 53, of Egg Harbor, who worked as a registered pharmacist at Shore Medical, was arrested in January after a year-long probe, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
Authorities alleged that between July and September 2014, McLeish removed morphine from vials intended for use in preparation of intravenous solutions for patients and replaced the drug with saline solution.
He was charged with drug tampering, theft by unlawful taking and possession of a controlled dangerous substance and jailed on $20,000 bail on Jan. 21.
Patients are being tested to determine if any were infected.
"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," Shore Medical said in its statement.
The hospital has also set up a dedicated call center for patients and family members who may have additional questions. The call center phone number provided in the letters is 609-653-3900, hospital officials confirmed.
McLeish faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The Press of Atlantic City spoke with a patient who received the letter and has since tested negative for the three diseases. She expressed dismay that it took this long for patients to be notified.
"We are talking a year and a half that people could have been exposed and getting sick from this," Arlene Polmonari told the Press.
Hospital officials have not indicated how many patients have been tested or if any tested positive.
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.