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Officials at Natividad Medical
Center in Salinas, Calif., reported that a routine safety audit revealed
inconsistent documentation by staff of equipment disinfection during an
18-month period. Although staff might have properly cleaned the center’s
flexible endoscopes throughout this time period, the hospital lacked proper
supporting documentation and, therefore, has opted to take extra precautions.
Officials have notified 897 patients that they might have been exposed to
infections during endoscopies of the colon, upper gastrointestinal tract, and
lungs on the days under investigation. Additionally, the hospital has offered
these patients free HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C testing. So far, no one
has tested positive for infection.
The hospital also reported the
matter to state and federal health officials and has retrained staff in
response to state direction. Chief Medical Officer Gary Gray commented that the
risk of infection was very low. The hospital set up a call center to respond to
patients’ questions. Patients may call (831) 772–7899 Monday through Friday
from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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!
