The Nevada State Health Officials shut down The Endoscopy Center Of Southern Nevada in conjunction with it's reuse of vials/syringes. They definitely state that it was "reused anesthesia vials"(syringes, have not been determined as of yet). There were roughly 40,000 patients potentially exposed between March 2004 and January 11,2008. The Health Department was unable to locate everyone due to not having updated addresses. Therefore, they had to take an ad out in the paper. The have set aside funds and a place for the exposed population the their families to be tested for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.
It has been said that this is the largest number exposure, at one time, for such an situation occurring. I still say, that it was out of pure laziness, or else people trying to cheat insurance companies (by cutting a few cents but still charging for the "new price" just the same). It was a total "should never have occurred incident." And for me being in the Medical Field for thirty years I would never work for a place that would ask me to do such a thing. That is definitely putting patients at "risk!"
The State Officials are saying this is "only the tip of the iceberg" as they have another endoscopy clinic under investigation now. This second clinic is associated with the previous one above, it's called Desert Shadow Endoscopy Center. At Desert Shadow no patients have been notified at this time. It has been found that no syringes were ever reused, however "anesthetic vials were reused."
The Endoscopy Center Of Southern Nevada did release a statement in the Las Vegas Sun.
"On behalf of the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada, we want to express our deep concern about this incident to the many patients who have put their trust in us over the years. As always, our patients remain our primary responsibility and we have already corrected the situation.
The recent events related to the Southern Nevada Health District study mark the first time anything like this has ever happened at our facility. We have already taken steps to ensure that it will never happen again.
The health district began its investigation in January, and we have been fully cooperating with them. We were officially notified by the health district on February 6, 2008 and submitted our detailed Plan of Correction on February 15, 2008. All concerns noted by the health department were addressed immediately.
We wish to emphasize that the actual risk of anyone being affected by this is extremely low, but as a precaution, anyone who has undergone procedures at the Endoscopy Center who required anesthesia should be tested.
As I’m sure you understand this situation brings with it a number of complex elements including patient privacy and regulatory guidelines. At this time, our counsel has asked that we limit our comments to this statement, and we are unable to take questions.
Thank you."
I edited parts of the above statement released, to the Las Vegas Sun, from the Endoscopy Center Of Southern Nevada. If you are interested you can read it in it's entirely on the link provided below. You can also read comments made by the locals from the community and those who have gone to either one of the Endoscopy centers that have reused the vials.
abcnews.go.com
www.lasvegassun.com
No comments:
Post a Comment