Colorado hospital drug theft stirs patient tests in Phoenix

PHOENIX (AP) - A Phoenix hospital is offering free hepatitis and HIV testing to patients after discovering a former employee is accused of stealing pain medication at a Colorado facility.

HonorHealth officials said in a statement that the former surgical technician worked for John C. Lincoln Medical Center between July and September of 2014.

They say the male technician was fired after testing positive for use of a controlled substance.

The health system says there is no indication that patients were harmed.

However, patients who had a surgery involving him will be able to get tested for hepatitis B and C and HIV.

They have identified 97 patients so far.

Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado is asking 2,900 people who underwent surgery there between Aug. 17 and Jan. 22 to get tested.