State board files charge against Norman nurse

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A state nursing board charged a Norman anesthetist Tuesday with unprofessional conduct and acting against the public interest in a hepatitis scare at a Norman hospital. <br><br>State

Wednesday, November 13th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A state nursing board charged a Norman anesthetist Tuesday with unprofessional conduct and acting against the public interest in a hepatitis scare at a Norman hospital.

State investigators say James Charles Hill, 55, told them he reused needles up to 25 times a day when injecting patients with pain medicine. More than 1,000 former patients have been tested for disease since the investigation started and 52 former patients of Norman Regional Hospital's pain management clinic have tested positive for exposure to hepatitis C.

A public hearing on the charge is scheduled for Nov. 21 in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Board of Nursing can revoke Hill's nurse license for up to five years if members find the charge is valid.

Doctor Jerry W. Lewis, the anesthesiologist supervising Hill, said he didn't know of any improper medical procedures.

Dozens of malpractice lawsuits have been filed against Norman Regional Hospital, Hill and Lewis.

The state Health Department says Hill does not have hepatitis C.

Hill was recognized as a certified nurse anesthetist in Oklahoma in 1991. He has been a nurse since the late 1970s.

As of late Tuesday, Hill has not tried to surrender his state license or appeal the charges, said nursing board executive Director Kim Glazier.