A hospital in Portland Oregon is facing a lawsuit for a class-action suit because it may have exposed 2,200 patients to serious diseases during surgery.
KATU reported on Monday that four patients from Clackamas County had filed a claim against Providence Health. These individuals received anesthesia at the hospital facilities, which was performed by a physician contracted with the hospital.
The outlet reported that the doctor “failed to adhere” to infection control measures during the surgeries. This could have exposed patients to HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
2200 people were potentially affected.
The Associated Press (AP), reported on Tuesday, said that the lawsuit claims the four patients who had surgery at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center suffered pain, fear, horror, anguish and grief, as well as anxiety, nervousness, shame, humiliation and embarrassment.
A recent public safety announcement from hospital leadership stated that thousands of patients could be exposed to these diseases. Gary Walker, the hospital’s director of communications, said that there was only a small risk of exposure. However, those exposed would receive a letter as well as an online notice.
Before being fired, the unidentified doctor worked at Oregon Anesthesiology Group.
According to the AP, the lawsuit states that a patient’s test for three diseases came back negative. However, her symptoms are causing concern and she will be undergoing tests again.
The lawsuit also states:
Plaintiff D.C. will not know for sure if she was exposed to HIV, hepatitis C or hepatitis B until she receives new test results. Even after receiving her test results, Plaintiff D.C. cannot be sure she is free from infection due to the possibility of falsely negative results.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, hepatitis B results from the hepatitis B viral infection. Hepatitis C also causes liver disease.
HIV is defined by the agency as a virus which “attacks the immune system of the body”. It can cause AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) without treatment.
Patients contacted regarding the problem are asked to undergo infection tests.
The KATU article said: “The lawsuit claims gross negligence by Providence and an independent firm that contracted out the anesthesiologist for work at Providence.”
