A New Jersey dentist agreed to a five-year suspension after one patient died and 14 others were sickened by a bacterial heart infection. State officials accused Dr. John Vecchione of "professional misconduct and gross negligence" for failing to follow infection control protocols.
In 2016, the New Jersey Department of Health began investigating Vecchione after they discovered 15 patients he had treated contracted bacterial endocarditis. Twelve of those patients required heart surgery, and one of them died.
During an inspection of his practice, officials found that he failed to use sterile water or sterile saline during surgical procedures, improperly handled and stored medication, and did not adequately clean and prepare his instruments for surgery.
His dental license was temporarily suspended, but Vecchione denied the claims and fought the allegations against him. He was scheduled to take the stand in his own defense last month, but abruptly changed his mind and agreed to settle the case.
His suspension is retroactive to August 31, 2016, which means he could begin a one-year probationary period this summer if he abides by the terms of the settlement. In addition to the suspension of his license, Vecchione was ordered to pay $293,500 in penalties.
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