Nearly 450 patients being treated at a hospital in Salem, Massachusetts, may have contracted hepatitis and HIV from improper use of intravenous drugs.
A statement said: “Earlier this year, Salem Hospital became aware of an isolated practice involving a small number of endoscopy patients who were potentially at risk due to the administration of intravenous medications in a manner that was inconsistent with our best practices. Infection.” From Massachusetts Brigham General Hospital (MGB), a Salem-affiliated health care system. (endoscopy Involves a doctor inserting a tube-like instrument into a patient’s body to capture images of specific tissues. )
“Once discovered, this practice was immediately corrected and the hospital’s quality and infection control teams were notified,” said a statement shared with Live Science via email. MGB spokesman Adam Bagni added in an email, The practice involves a contract employee who no longer works at Salem Hospital.
After being notified, the hospital reviewed the situation and consulted with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Hospital staff, along with public health officials, determined that “this incident poses a minimal risk of infection to patients.” So far, there is no evidence that the incident resulted in any infections.
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Salem Hospital has contacted all potentially affected patients and is offering free screenings for both types of patients viral hepatitis — Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C — and HIV“This is the standard test for this type of potential exposure,” Barney said. The hospital has also set up a hotline staffed by clinicians to answer patient questions.
According to local news outlets, the potential exposure occurred between June 14, 2021, and April 19, 2023 According to the Salem News.This is based on messages sent to patients Dr. Mitchell ReinFormer chief medical officer at Salem Hospital.
To avoid possible patient contact blood borne diseases For example, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, health care workers should ensure they do not use the same needles and syringes on more than one patient, Dr. Sheila DoronChief infection control officer at Tufts Medical Health System told nbc news. They should also avoid putting caps on used syringes with needles attached so other workers don’t mistakenly think it’s safe to use. Healthcare facilities also have strict standards on how to sterilize needles, syringes and other equipment before using them, she added.
In its statement, the MGB did not specify the precise nature of the inappropriate practices that put endoscopy patients at risk of exposure.
However, patient Geoff Millar said he was contacted by the hospital about potential exposure, telling The Salem News he called the hospital’s hotline and was told a disposable device had been reused in his surgeries. What is being reused is not the IV needle or endoscopic tube, but the different equipment required for anesthesia.
A class-action lawsuit is currently being filed against Salem Hospital over the incident, according to reports. According to NBC News Boston.
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