Phony Physician’s Call Nearly Proves Fatal in AIDS Case

An AIDS patient slipped into a near coma and “could have died” after a man claiming to be his doctor called St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica to order a change in the patient’s medication, police said Monday.

“This is being investigated as an attempted murder,” Santa Monica Police Sgt. Russ Martin said. “The person who called in and claimed to be his doctor was not, and the medication given to the patient was potentially fatal. . . . “I’ve never heard of this happening before.”

“The patient’s real doctor denied he made such a call,” Lt. Jim Dawson added.

Detectives are investigating the incident as a case of attempted murder, Dawson said, because the medication given the patient was potentially fatal.

Police said a man called a nurse caring for the 49-year-old acquired immune deficiency syndrome patient at 11:25 p.m. Saturday. The caller identified himself as the patient’s doctor, discussed the patient’s condition and then ordered a change in medication.

After being given the new medication, the patient began slipping into a coma early Sunday, Dawson said.

Hospital staff members were able to revive him, and police said he was out of danger Monday and no longer threatened by effects of the medication.

The patient, his actual doctor and the nurse who received the call ordering the change in medication were not identified.

“We are concerned and anxious to resolve this matter, but until the investigation has been completed and until we have had an opportunity to review all of the facts involved, we can make no further comment,” hospital spokesman Armen Markarian said.

AIDS is an incurable condition that cripples the body’s disease-fighting immune system, leaving its victims vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening infections and certain cancers.