A Morris County oral surgeon will lose his license for five years after 15 patients were sickened and one died of a bacterial heart infection following his treatment, the New Jersey Attorney General’s office announced Monday.

Dr. John Vecchione, who practiced in Budd Lake, was also ordered to pay $293,500 in penalties and costs after he failed to follow infection protocols and exposed patients to bacterial endocarditis, officials said. He previously agreed to have his license suspended as the allegations against him were being heard.

“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,” state 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.”

A 2014 inspection of Vecchione’s office found a number of issues, including the use of a single use vial of Propofol for more than one use; pre-filled syringes of medication; expired vials and multi-dose vials of medication; non-sterile preparation of instruments and poor documentation of medication units, a deputy attorney general wrote in 2016.

The inspections were held after a number of Vecchione’s patients developed bacterial endocarditis, a serious infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers. The infection can be treated, but can also cause heart damage, paralysis and death.

At least 14 lawsuits have been filed against Vecchione. A lawyer representing 12 former patients, Jim Lynch, did not immediately return NJ Advance Media’s request for comment.

Lynch previously criticized the state Department of Health’s handling of the matter, saying the department erred when they removed Vecchione’s name from initial reports.

“I hope changes will be made so members of the public can perform their own due diligence by researching their health providers and can better protect themselves,” Lynch said in 2016.

Vecchione’s suspension will include time already spent suspended. He will be allowed to begin a probationary period as early as Aug. 31 so long as he complies with the terms of the order, and “first demonstrates of his fitness and competency to resume practice,” officials said.

Vecchione’s lawyer, Russell Hewit, did not immediately respond to request for comment Monday afternoon.

Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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