A New Jersey oral surgeon’s poor adherence to protection protocols has killed one and left 14 with serious heart infections.

According to a statement Monday from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, the dentist, Dr. John Vecchione, has had his license suspended for five years and been issued a $293,500 fine.

Vecchione’s office has been accused by the state of “continued failure to follow infection protocols exposed his patients to the risk of contracting the serious heart infection.” Between 2012 and 2014, 15 of the doctor’s patients contracted bacterial endocarditis, 12 of which required heart surgery.

“This settlement brings closure to a troubling case in which a medical professional allegedly took irresponsible risks with patients' health by disregarding health and safety standards,” Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring that medical practitioners do not flout professional standards in place to protect patients' health and safety.”

Vecchione’s practices continued in spite of multiple inspections by the Department of Health which found his protocols insufficient. A complaint against the surgeon was filed with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office in 2016.

Inspections of the office found that non-sterile water was being issued in surgical operations, tools and instruments were not being properly sterilized, and needles were improperly used and disposed of.

The affected patients claimed to be suffering from nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain before seeking treatment. Four of the patients who needed heart surgery were younger than 26. The patient that passed away was 54 and had no history of heart health issues. He died from a “post-operative heart infection” after undergoing valve replacement surgery.

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