In late February, the hospital identified gaps in its sterilization documentation. The hospital’s Chief Administrative Officer, Kirk Raboin, told the Oregonian that hospital workers may have skipped a brushing step before soaking equipment in anti-microbial solution. Mr. Raboin also said the sterilization process was not consistently documented.
The delay to notify patients is reportedly due to the time it took to track down patients, confirm addresses and setup a website and call center.
The hospital is unaware of what specific pathogens patients were potentially exposed to, but it is paying for HIV, hepatitis B and C tests in accordance with the CDC’s recommendations. The hospital is also prepared to pay for medical costs if responsible for detected infections, according to the report.
“We feel the risk is minimal at best,” Mr. Raboin said. “PeaceHealth apologizes for any concerns that this might have caused our patients, their families and the community at large.”
To date, ten patients have been tested. Results all came back negative.
More articles on infection control:
Tulsa school employee diagnosed with bacterial meningitis
Hepatitis C outbreak in Utah linked to former nurse
Researchers turn to cholesterol to stop the growth of TB infections
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