Woman Is Unnerved After Being Treated At Facility With HIV Scare

SOMERS POINT N.J., (CBS) -- There were heart pounding moments for Arlene Polmonari after receiving a letter, on Thursday, from the Shore Medical Center. "I get this letter in the mail. I was totally freaked out. They want me to get tested for HIV and Hepatitis," Polmonari said.

She's one of more than 200 patients who were notified about an infection control break at the hospital from June 2013 - September 2014. Former hospital pharmacist Frederick McLeish is accused of tampering with medication and stealing morphine.

The 53-year-old is alleged to have removed morphine from vials intended to be used in intravenous solutions on patients and refilling them with saline solution.

"I was up all night and I wanted to get tested right away," Polmonari explained.

She immediately went to the facility set up by the hospital for testing. Thankfully, she tested negative for HIV and Hepatitis B and C, but she's still unnerved that she'd just finding out about the potential health scare.

"It just seems we should have known about this before now," she said.

Shore Medical Center released a statement which reads in part: "We take patient care very seriously...the authorities have commended us on our self initiated internal investigation and swift action in this matter...Shore has also set up a dedicated call center for those patients and family members who may have additional questions."

McLeisch was terminated from his position with the hospital after the investigation in 2014. He's also surrendered his state pharmacy license and is now facing a slew of charges including drug tampering, theft, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.