A hospital in Salem, Massachusetts, says hundreds of patients could become infected with HIV and hepatitis because intravenous drugs were administered in a way that was inconsistent with its best practices. A spokesman for Massachusetts Brigham General Hospital, which owns Salem Hospital, said 450 patients were affected over about two years. The hospital said in a statement released Wednesday that it became aware of the isolated practice involving endoscopy patients earlier this year. The hospital said it corrected the practice immediately after being notified and notified the hospital’s quality and infection control teams. Salem Hospital said that after a comprehensive review, including feedback from hospital officials, the incident posed a minimal risk of infection to patients. The hospital said there is no evidence to date that the incident resulted in any infections, but it is currently testing for HIV, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. “Patient safety is our top priority and we have taken multiple corrective actions in response to this incident,” the hospital’s statement read. “We sincerely apologize to those affected, and we remain committed to providing high-quality, compassionate health care to our community.” Salem Hospital said it has notified all patients who may have been affected and has set up A hotline staffed by clinicians has been set up to answer questions and the agency is providing them with free screenings and any necessary support. A spokesman for the Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham said patients who were not notified should not worry.
A hospital in Salem, Massachusetts, says hundreds of patients could be infected with HIV and hepatitis because intravenous drugs were administered in a way that was inconsistent with its best practices.
A spokesman for Massachusetts General Hospital, which owns Salem Hospital, said nearly 450 patients were affected over about two years.
In a statement released Wednesday, the hospital said it became aware of the isolated practice involving endoscopy patients earlier this year. The hospital said it corrected the practice immediately after being notified and notified the hospital’s quality and infection control teams.
Salem Hospital said that after a comprehensive review that included feedback from officials at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the incident posed minimal risk of infection to patients.
The hospital said there is no evidence so far that the incident resulted in any infections, but it is currently testing for HIV, hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
“Patient safety is our top priority and we have taken multiple corrective actions in response to this incident,” the hospital’s statement read. “We sincerely apologize to those affected and we remain committed to our community. Providing high-quality, compassionate health care.”
Salem Hospital said all potentially affected patients have been notified, a hotline staffed by clinicians has been set up to answer questions, and the facility is providing them with free screenings and any necessary support. A spokesman for the Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham said patients who were not notified should not worry.