Anesthesiologist suspended after unrelated investigation unearths improperly stored drugs

A Toronto-based anesthesiologist is facing sanctions for improperly handling and storing drugs after an unrelated investigation found controlled substances and general anesthetics at his residence.On June 23, the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal ruled that Dr. William David Morton be suspended for two months and ordered to pay $6,000 in costs. According to the agreed statement of facts, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario initiated an investigation into Dr. Morton as a result of “proceedings unconnected to the College.” It's unclear from the decision what these proceedings were about, but Dr. Morton had been criminally charged by the Ontario Provincial Police in January 2021, including with attempting to administer a drug without consent. Those charges were subsequently dropped that August.The college’s investigation found that Dr. Morton had the following controlled substances and anesthetics stored in his home:Tramadol KetamineDemerolMidazolamFentanyl liquidPropofolSevofluraneAn assessor appointed by the college concluded that Dr. Morton’s storage fell below the college’s standards, which states that controlled substances “must be kept in a designated, fixed, locked cabinet to prevent theft and loss.” The assessor noted that the substances were stored “in an unsecured fashion, including some in large quantities” and that this presented the opportunity for diversion and harm—particularly tramadol, fentanyl, benzodiazepines and ketamine.“The assessor also noted the absence of any indication that the controlled substances found in the registrant’s home were recorded or tracked in any way, as required by the standard,” a part of the tribunal decision reads. In addition to the suspension and costs penalty, Dr. Morton will also be required to complete a course on ethics and boundaries within six months.“We expect that you will reflect on the serious nature of your misconduct and practice in accordance with the standards of the profession in the future,” the tribunal said in its reprimand.

Anesthesiologist suspended after unrelated investigation unearths improperly stored drugs

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