MultiCare Auburn (Wash.) Medical Center is notifying certain patients of a potential exposure to tuberculosis after an employee recently tested positive for the disease, according to CBS affiliate KIRO 7.
Patients at risk received care at the hospital's family birth center between April 22 and Sept. 30, according to a MultiCare safety alert. The hospital sent letters to 27 adult patients notifying them of the exposure risk, along with the families of 26 infants. MultiCare said at least 85 employees were also potentially exposed.
The sickened employee is currently on leave while undergoing treatment. A full recovery is expected. The employee did not contract the disease from bacteria exposure at a Multicare facility, according to the safety alert.
The risk of TB spreading to other patients and staff members is low because contraction of the disease requires prolonged exposure, MultiCare said.
The hospital said the exposure is an "isolated situation" and that MultiCare is taking appropriate action, according to KIRO 7. The hospital is providing all exposed patients with free TB testing and any follow-up treatment.