Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield, Mass., is facing lawsuits from 25 colonoscopy patients who say they were potentially exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in 2012 and 2013 through improperly disinfected equipment, according to the Boston Herald.
According to attorney Robert DiTusa, nearly 300 patients at the hospital could have been exposed to the diseases. The Massachusetts Public Health Department found new endoscopes used in the patients' colonoscopies were being sanitized under protocol designed for older equipment, the Boston Herald reported.
The hospital was independent in 2012 and 2013, but has since become part of Springfield, Mass.-based Baystate Health network.
The patients were not informed about the possible exposure until January.
As of April 6, Baystate said there is no evidence the endoscopes transmitted any illness, but 50 of the 300 patients have yet to be tested, according to the report.