Hospital Infection Control & Prevention – April 1, 2008
April 1, 2008
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Look back in anger: HCV outbreak may bring IC changes to ambulatory care
The largest patient "look-back" notification in medical history involving some 40,000 patients potentially exposed to hepatitis C, HBV, and HIV in a Las Vegas endoscopy clinic allegedly was driven by policies designed to save money and carried out by medical staff who should have known they were putting patients at risk, Hospital Infection Control has learned. -
Q & A on largest patient look-back effort in history
The Southern Nevada Health District issued the following questions and answers after launching the largest patient look-back effort in history by contacting 40,000 patients potentially exposed to bloodborne pathogens in a Las Vegas endoscopy clinic: -
Call for national action after Vegas look-back
An outbreak of hepatitis C virus (HCV) that recently sparked a massive testing effort affecting 40,000 patients in Las Vegas comes as the largest, latest "look-back" in a series of ambulatory care exposures that shows no signs of stopping. -
Nurse anesthetists group stresses safe practices
In response to a hepatitis C virus outbreak in an endoscopy center in Las Vegas, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) in Park Ridge, IL, is reiterating safe needle practices to all of its members. -
Owner issues statement on 'unfounded allegations'
In light of an outbreak of hepatitis C virus that resulted in public health officials advising 40,000 patients to be tested, Dipak Desai, MD, majority owner of the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada at 700 Shadow Lane, issued the following statement on March 10, 2008: -
Outbreak investigation hinges on DNA matches
Appropriately enough in Las Vegas, the largest patient look-back investigation in history will come down to something akin to a high-stakes bingo game.