Violations Charged in Injection Mistake

The state Health Department Friday cited Albany Medical Center Hospital for three violations of the state hospital code in the Feb. 27 mistaken injection of a pregnant cancer patient that left the woman paralyzed and comatose.

The Health Department cited the hospital for inadequate supervision of hospital staff, poor preparation of medical staff and a lack of effective policies for control of toxic or dangerous drugs in the case of Lillian Cedeno.

Cedeno, 21, was injected in the spine with an anti-cancer drug that should have been given to her intravenously, doctors said. Her baby died after birth.

A Health Department spokesman said the hospital faces a maximum $1,000 fine for each violation.

Later, the hospital said that the two doctors who injected the drug were improperly supervised. They were identified as Michael Walker and Joseph Monahan, both residents.