Ep 8. Bad Medicine

American Justice is a true-crime series that delves into the most complex and high-profile criminal cases that have taken place in the United States. In Season 4 Episode 8, titled 'Bad Medicine,' the show takes a look at the case of Kristen Gilbert, a nurse who was convicted of killing four of her patients during her time working at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Northampton, Massachusetts.

The episode begins with an introduction to Kristen Gilbert, a respected and seemingly caring nurse who worked in the cardiac unit of the Northampton VA Medical Center. She was well-liked by her colleagues and was considered to be a dedicated nurse who always put her patients first. However, things began to take a dark turn when nurses in the unit started to notice an unusually high number of unexplained issues with patients under Gilbert's care. Patients were experiencing unexplained cardiac arrests and other medical crises, and the nurses began to suspect that something was amiss.

The episode then delves into the investigation that followed, as the authorities worked to unravel the mystery of the cardiac unit. The first step in the investigation was to conduct a review of all patients who had experienced cardiac arrests during their time in the unit. This led to the discovery that the number of cardiac arrests had skyrocketed during the time that Gilbert had been working there. Further investigation found that there were no medical reasons for these patients to have had cardiac arrests, leading authorities to suspect that foul play was at work.

The episode then explores the painstaking work that went into building a case against Gilbert. Investigators had to carefully scrutinize medical records, interview nurses and doctors who had worked with Gilbert, and piece together a timeline of events to try and identify what was happening in the unit. This work eventually led to a breakthrough when investigators discovered that Gilbert had been injecting patients with epinephrine, a drug that can trigger cardiac arrest if administered in the wrong doses.

As the investigation picked up steam, Gilbert's coworkers began to speak out about their concerns. Many of them had noticed that she seemed to be enjoying the attention that came with dealing with cardiac arrest patients, and that she had a habit of lingering around patients who were experiencing medical crises. They also reported that she frequently manipulated medical equipment in a way that could have exacerbated the patients' conditions. All of this created a troubling picture that made it increasingly clear that Gilbert was involved in the deaths.

The rest of the episode focuses on the trial that followed Gilbert's arrest. It was a highly publicized affair that captivated the nation and raised important questions about the role of nurses in patient care. Gilbert's defense team argued that she had not intended to harm her patients, and that many of them were already in poor health when they were admitted to the hospital. However, the prosecution presented a strong case, and Gilbert was ultimately convicted on charges of first-degree murder and several other counts related to her actions in the cardiac unit.

In the end, 'Bad Medicine' is a gripping episode that showcases the best of true-crime storytelling. It illustrates how a group of people working together can uncover a complex and disturbing story, and how the work of investigators, prosecutors, and the judicial system can ultimately lead to justice for the victims. It also raises important questions about the responsibility of medical professionals, the trust that is placed in them, and the terrible consequences that can result when that trust is broken.