Salem Hospital in Massachusetts announced that hundreds of patients may have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis infections by administering intravenous drugs in a manner inconsistent with best practices. A spokesperson for Massachusetts General Brigham, which owns Salem Hospital, said: 450 patients were affected over about two years. The hospital said in a statement Wednesday that it was aware of an isolated practice involving an endoscopy patient earlier this year. The hospital said the practice was corrected as soon as it was reported and the hospital’s quality and infection control team was also notified. Salem Hospital said after a comprehensive review, including feedback from hospital personnel, the risk of infection to patients from this incident is very small. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said there is currently no evidence of infectious diseases from the incident, but testing for HIV, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B is currently underway. “Patient safety is our top priority, and we have taken multiple corrective actions in response to this incident,” the hospital’s statement reads. “We sincerely apologize to those affected and we remain committed to providing quality, compassionate care to our community.” Salem Hospital apologizes to all those who may be affected. It said it has set up a hotline staffed by clinicians to notify patients and answer questions and that the facility is offering free testing and any support they need. A spokesperson for Massachusetts General Brigham said patients who have not been notified do not need to worry.
Salem Hospital in Massachusetts said hundreds of patients may have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis infections by administering intravenous drugs in a manner inconsistent with best practices.
A spokeswoman for Massachusetts General Brigham, which owns Salem Hospital, said nearly 450 patients were affected in about two years.
The hospital said in a statement Wednesday that it was aware of an isolated practice involving an endoscopy patient earlier this year. The hospital said the practice was corrected immediately after it was reported, and the hospital’s quality and infection control team was also notified.
Salem Hospital said after a comprehensive review, including feedback from Massachusetts Department of Public Health officials, the risk of infection to patients from this incident is extremely small.
The hospital said there is currently no evidence of infection from this incident, but they are currently testing for HIV, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B.
“Patient safety is our top priority and we have taken multiple corrective actions in response to this incident,” the hospital’s statement said. “We sincerely apologize to those affected. We will continue to provide high-quality, compassionate medical care to the local community.”
Salem Hospital said it has set up a hotline staffed by clinicians to notify all potentially affected patients and answer questions, and the facility is offering free testing and any support they need. Ta. A spokesperson for Massachusetts General Brigham said patients who have not been notified do not need to worry.
