Patients who were fitted with dental appliances for sleep apnea from Nov. 18, 2013 to Feb. 26, 2016, were notified via mail this month that they could be at risk for HIV and hepatitis B and C. The hospital offered these patients free blood tests.
According to TDN, an internal review of infection control procedures found a step in the sterilization process may have been skipped.
“The likelihood of infection is extremely low,” said Kirk Raboin, PeaceHealth St. John’s chief administrative officer. “Still, we are acting with an abundance of caution because our highest priority is the health and safety of our patients.”
So far, none of the tested patients have received HIV-positive or hepatitis-positive results, according to TDN.
More articles on infection control:
Chronic hepatitis B treatment may increase risk of colorectal, cervical cancer
WHO issues new hepatitis C infection treatment guidelines
Researchers say current hep C testing guidelines overlook many cases
