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Four Maryland hospitals are offering
free testing to former patients who may have been exposed to hepatitis C virus
infection. A traveling medical technician who worked for the hospitals on a
contract basis, David Matthew Kwiatkowski, was arrested last month and is
accused of infecting patients with HCV at a New Hampshire hospital through a
drug-diversion scheme. Kwiatkowski denies the charges.
Kwiatkowski worked as a radiographer
performing diagnostic procedures such as cardiac catheterization. In Maryland,
he is known to have worked at the Baltimore VA Medical Center from May 2008 to
November 2008; Southern Maryland Hospital from December 2008 to February 2009;
Johns Hopkins Hospital from July 2009 to January 2010; and Maryland General
Hospital from January 2010 to March 2010.
There is no evidence that
Kwiatkowski had HCV or stole drugs while in Maryland, state health officials
said. However, investigators say evidence points to his being infected by at
least June 2010.
Hopkins has notified by letter 1,567
patients with direct or indirect contact with Kwiatkowski. Of about 130
patients tested so far, one of the results returned was HCV-positive, but it is
not clear whether the infection is related.
Maryland General has notified by
letter some 23 people who may have had contact there with Kwiatkowski, said
Karen Lancaster, its spokesperson. Officials did not know if any had contracted
HCV.
Southern Maryland Hospital has
notified 116 patients and tested 40, with none testing positive, said Nancy
Norman, its spokesperson.
Baltimore VA Medical Center
determined that 51 of 168 patients whose procedures involved Kwiatkowski need
testing. Officials are considering testing an additional 17 patients under care
in a radiology room where he worked.
Maryland health investigators are
reviewing regulations governing contract medical workers; whether Kwiatkowski
violated any such rules; and whether better controls over access to narcotics
are needed in hospitals.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
