VA Doctor "Unaware of Patient's History" Seriously?

Investigators: Colorado veteran died after getting painkillers
The Denver Post
Dan Elliott Associated Press
November 30, 2017

DENVER — A Colorado man suffering from chronic pain died two days after he obtained methadone with a prescription from a Veterans Affairs Department doctor, government investigators said Thursday, but they could not determine whether the drug contributed to his death.

The VA inspector general, an internal watchdog agency, said the patient at the Grand Junction veterans hospital was in his 60s and had a history of heart and lung problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that methadone’s side effects may include irregular heartbeat and shallow breathing.

The doctor told investigators he was aware of the patient’s history and knew about the possible side effects of methadone, but the patient had taken the drug before and his heart and lung problems were stable.
read more here