Domenic Paolini, a medical malpractice attorney and former cardiac surgeon, has criticized Exeter (N.H.) Hospital for its management of a hepatitis C outbreak, according to a Foster's Daily Democrat report.
Exeter Hospital began formally investigating three cases of hepatitis C potentially linked to the hospital May 14. After contacting state health officials and determining the genetic relationship between the patients' infection, the hospital suspended its cardiac catheterization lab May 25 and publicly announced the outbreak May 31. As of yesterday, at least nine patients and one hospital employee were diagnosed with the same strain of the virus, according to the report.
Mr. Paolini, who also did some consulting in quality assurance in the past, said the hospital should have closed the cath lab earlier and that all areas with potential blood contact should have been closed. Mr. Paolini also criticized the hospital for not hiring independent hospital experts and the department of health for allowing Exeter Hospital to reopen the cath lab this week. However, there are no national guidelines suggesting hospitals keep a department closed after an outbreak or hire an independent investigator, according to the report.
Mr. Paolini said he is not representing and has not been contacted by any patients affected by the outbreak.
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Exeter Hospital began formally investigating three cases of hepatitis C potentially linked to the hospital May 14. After contacting state health officials and determining the genetic relationship between the patients' infection, the hospital suspended its cardiac catheterization lab May 25 and publicly announced the outbreak May 31. As of yesterday, at least nine patients and one hospital employee were diagnosed with the same strain of the virus, according to the report.
Mr. Paolini, who also did some consulting in quality assurance in the past, said the hospital should have closed the cath lab earlier and that all areas with potential blood contact should have been closed. Mr. Paolini also criticized the hospital for not hiring independent hospital experts and the department of health for allowing Exeter Hospital to reopen the cath lab this week. However, there are no national guidelines suggesting hospitals keep a department closed after an outbreak or hire an independent investigator, according to the report.
Mr. Paolini said he is not representing and has not been contacted by any patients affected by the outbreak.
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