Patients Warned of HIV and Hepatitis Risk from Medical Procedures at NV Endoscopy Center
The Southern Nevada Health District alerted patients that had received injected anesthesia medicine during medical procedures at the Endoscopy Center of Nevada, located at 700 Shadow Lane, of high risk exposure and possible contraction of Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, HIV and other possible blood borne diseases. All people that had procedures between March 2004 and January 11, 2008 and instructed to seek medical attention from their doctors or health care providers immediately to be tested for infection.
 |
Important Questions and Answers for patients that had procedures at this medical center and believe they are at risk of exposure:
Q: Why are people being asked to get tested?
A: The health district was advised of 6 Hepatitis cases, of which 5 have had medical procedures involving anesthesia injections. The CDC and Health District, after investigation, reported that unsafe injection practices of an anesthetic may have exposed patients to the blood of other patients.
Q: How were patients exposed?
A: A syringe (not a needle) used on a patient was used again on the same person to draw additional medication. The re-drawing of medicine using the same syringe could infect the vial from where the medicine was taken from the patient. The vial, not identified for use on multiple people, was reused for another patient. If the vial was infected with the blood of the first person, it is possible that the vial could have been exposed to blood borne pathogens.
Q: How many people may be affected?
A: it is unknown how many people will contract Hepatitis, HIV or other blood diseases but it is estimated that some 40,000 patients are at risk.
The Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada issued the following statement:
“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 continue to work closely with the Southern Nevada Health District and other health agencies during this ongoing review. We want to be sure that every patient who may have been exposed is informed and tested.”
“To help us with these issues, we have engaged the services of nationally renowned experts who have extensive epidemiological experience and that have worked closely with the Centers for Disease Control in the past. They include Dr. Janine Jason, CEO of Jason and Jarvis Associates. She is a Harvard Medical School-trained physician, epidemiologist, and immunologist who served as a medical scientist and senior epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and was on the Emory Medical School faculty for 23 years prior to becoming a private consultant. Dr. Jason has authored more than a hundred peer-reviewed medical and epidemiologic scientific articles.”
“In addition to our corrective actions, we are on a mission to maintain the trust our patients have had in us during our years of service to southern Nevada.”
“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.”
Our law firm is investigating claims and representing families that are victims of this public health catastrophe. If you or a loved one has had a medical procedure at this center or have been notified by healthcare professionals or believe you may be at risk for exposure and contraction of Hepatitis, HIV or any other blood disease from unsafe injection practices at The Endoscopy Center of Nevada, contact us today.