An investigation conducted by Vancouver, Wash.-based PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center and Clark County Public Health found no evidence that patients at the hospital were exposed to hepatitis C.
In May, the hospital and Clark County Public Health advised 936 former patients to be tested for hepatitis C because of concerns that a former employee was diverting medications for personal use. More than 80 percent of the patients agreed to be tested, and 27 tested positive for past or present examples. Of those, 12 were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for genetic testing, which did not establish a link between the patients' virus and PeaceHealth.
"We are very pleased that test results have not indicated any exposure of patients to hepatitis C at PeaceHealth Southwest," said Sy Johnson, the hospital's CEO. He also apologized for the inconvenience to the patients and their families.
In addition to the testing, third-party experts examined infection control practices at PeaceHealth Southwest and found no issues.
"We appreciate PeaceHealth's professionalism and partnership," said Alan Melnick, MD, director and health officer of Clark County Public Health. "Throughout this investigation, PeaceHealth has ensured that the health and well-being of its patients remains its first priority."