Around 2,400 individuals who received treatment at hospitals in Oregon are facing potential exposure to bloodborne infections like HIV and hepatitis. The exposure risk stems from an anesthesiologist who did not follow proper infection control practices during procedures at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center and Providence Portland Medical Center. Additionally, the same physician also worked at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center, where 221 patients are being notified of the potential risk.
The anesthesiologist was employed by Oregon Anesthesiology Group (OAG), which partners with various healthcare facilities in western Oregon. Upon discovering the violation of infection control practices, OAG took immediate action by suspending the physician, informing their partners at Legacy Health and Providence, and ultimately terminating the physician’s employment. While the risk of infection is considered low, new protocols and procedures have been implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As a precautionary measure, Providence is encouraging all patients who may have been affected to undergo free blood tests to screen for infections such as HIV and hepatitis B and C. Any patients who test positive will be notified and provided with guidance on next steps. Legacy Health has emphasized that this was an isolated incident involving a single provider contracted to work at their facility for a brief period.
The specific details of how safety protocols were violated have not been disclosed, but the Oregon Health Authority indicated that the investigation focused on the anesthesiologist’s improper infection control practices while administering intravenous anesthesia. Healthcare facilities typically have stringent standards for sanitizing equipment like needles and syringes to prevent the spread of infections between patients.
It is important for healthcare providers to adhere to proper infection control practices to ensure the safety of patients and prevent the spread of bloodborne diseases. Patients who may have been exposed are urged to undergo testing and follow any necessary medical guidance to protect their health. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining high standards of care in healthcare settings to safeguard the well-being of patients.
