The Colorado Department of Human Services suspended all medical and dental practices at Wheat Ridge (Colo.) Regional Center Aug 15., after learning the state-owned facility had been improperly cleaning surgical tools since 2015, according to Denver7.
No infections or adverse health effects have been reported due to the sterilization breach. About 200 patients who received a medical or dental procedure at Wheat Ridge Regional starting Jan. 27, 2015, have been advised to receive hepatitis C and B testing, along with an HIV screening. Wheat Ridge Regional is paying for all affected patients' testing.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment officials visited West Ridge Regional July 31 to evaluate infection control processes and discovered infection control processes, including instrument sterilization, may have been conducted improperly for the last three years.
CDHS officials confirmed they've stopped seeing patients as of July 31 and are working with CDPHE "to ensure that departmentwide practices meet acceptable standards moving forward," according to a statement cited by Denver7.
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