Dr. Joseph Michael Swango: A Serial Killer

2145 Words5 Pages

Dr. Joseph Michael Swango is considered America’s most prolific serial killer, a

licensed physician believed to have killed at least 60 men and women. He was an

extremely bright man who violated the Hippocratic Oath by poisoning girlfriends, co-

workers and patients he was entrusted to care for. The organizational failures of various

medical institutions, most notably the Ohio State University Medical Center, created an

institutionalized environment where Administrators “closed ranks in misplaced

professional solidarity” (Stewart, 2000). The facilities feared publicity, lawsuits from

patients their families and also from Swango. There was a lack of oversight, loose

employment hiring protocols and undermining cultural practices …show more content…

However, their worries turned to fear when some nurses realized patients who otherwise seemed to be improving or deemed “healthy”, began dying or becoming unresponsive; all while under the recent care of Dr. Swango. According to Stewart’s book “Blind Eye: The terrifying story of a doctor who got away with murder”, the first incidents to catch hospital staff’s attention were the unexplainable deaths of two young patients both recovering from surgery. Then there was the death of patient Ruth Barrick, an elderly lady who was had two life-threatening events after visits by Dr. Swango’s. Both events were witnessed by nurses Anna Ritchie and Deborah Kennedy. In both instances Mrs. Barrick suffered a respiratory event within minutes of Dr. Swango leaving her side. The latter event proved fatal and after discussing the events, both Ritchie and Kennedy realized Dr. Swango was likely responsible for her death. He was witnessed injecting fluids into Mrs. Barrick’s intravenous line (IV) by Nurse Ritchie who was further appalled when Dr. Swango

insisted on notifying Barrick’s family of death. The event was so disturbing that …show more content…

Despite efforts, patient Dies
7-Feb Rena Cooper 69 Found "paralyzed", OSU staff was able to stabilize Patient
While Nurse Dickinson prepared for the meeting, Nurse Moore met with Dr. Goodman and notified him of the found syringe. Much to her dismay he seemed uninterested, didn’t ask additional questions and never asked for the syringe. Dickinson at time, realized the administrators may rally against Swango, a fellow doctor, as they had in past incidents relating to other doctors (Stewart, 2000). According to Stewart (2000), Dr.
Goodman was more concerned and annoyed with the nurse “gossip” and didn’t find it unusual that a syringe was found in a bathroom. He questioned Dr. Swango who denied all accusations and his cool and calm demeanor further cemented Dr. Goodman’s
“gossip” theory. The formal meeting was conducted the following day with most of the above mentioned in attendance along with Dickinson who was representing the nurses. Nurse Dickinson described all cases and Dr. Swango’s suspected involvement.
She explained how and where the syringe were found and the eye witness

Open Document