Over 2,000 hospital patients at risk of STIs after doctor makes huge mistake

Last week, a hospital near Portland, Oregon announced that over 2,400 patients might have been exposed to multiple infections, including HIV and Hepatitis B, following a physician violating hospital protocol.

Providence, a Christian healthcare provider in the region, said in a statement, “We recently learned that Providence’s comprehensive infection control practices may not have been followed by a physician during some procedures at Portland-area hospitals, including Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, Providence Portland Medical Center and other non-Providence hospitals.”

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The physician, an anesthesiologist formerly employed with the Oregon Anesthesiology Group, has not been identified to the public, nor have the violated hospital protocols been made clear.

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“The physician was employed by Oregon Anesthesiology Group (OAG), which no longer provides services for Providence,” the statement said. “The physician is no longer employed by OAG. The actions of this physician might have put patients at a low risk of exposure to possible infections, including hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).”

Providence is currently working on notifying patients who have been affected through mailed letters and notifications in the MyChart app, an online system for providing health updates to patients.

“We are notifying approximately 2,200 patients seen at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center and 2 patients seen at Providence Portland Medical Center,” Providence said.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) said in a written statement, “Neither OHA nor the hospitals are aware of any reports of illness associated with this infection control breach.”

“Oregon Health Authority acknowledges the worry, pain and loss suffered by anyone affected by a health care-associated infection (HAI) – an infection acquired while they are receiving care in a hospital or other health facility. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 31 hospital patients in the U.S. has at least one HAI on any given day,” the OHA wrote.

“HAIs can have devastating impacts for patients as they can increase the length of stay, delay recovery from illness, cause emotional stress, and can lead to sepsis or even death. OHA’s response to HAIs can involve different divisions with separate consultative and regulatory functions.”

The OHA concluded their statement by saying, “it’s important to know that Oregon’s health care providers employ highly qualified and skilled infection preventionists and laboratory staff who lead the charge to prevent HAIs. In addition, local, state and federal public health agencies work closely with health care settings to implement effective infection control practices and equip health care providers with the tools that keep patients, visitors and the public safe.”

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