(CNN) A doctor is accused of giving potentially fatal doses of pain medication to at least 27 patients who were near death, according to an Ohio hospital.

The osteopathic physician ordered "more than what was needed to provide comfort" to patients whose families had requested that all life-saving measures be stopped, Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus said in a statement

The doctor was removed from patient care and fired, following an internal investigation, the hospital said. He had worked at the hospital for five years, Ed Lamb, Mount Carmel's president and CEO said in a statement.

The incidents have been reported to authorities, Lamb said.

CNN sought comment from the doctor but was unable to secure a phone number.

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