Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire Closes Lab After 4 Patients Diagnosed With Hepatitis C

Exeter (N.H.) Hospital and the state Division of Public Health Services has launched a joint investigation to determine how four patients with common elements in their clinical history were recently diagnosed with hepatitis C.

 



The common place of connection for the infected individuals at Exeter Hospital appears to involve the Cardiac Cath Lab. As a result, Exeter Hospital voluntarily suspended operations in the Cardiac Cath Lab on last week, pending the completion of appropriate testing. Hospital officials anticipate that the lab will be cleared to resume operations shortly.

As part of the investigation, state and hospital officials are in the process of proactively reaching out via phone and letters to all patients who received care in the Cardiac Cath Lab since August 2011 to recommend they return for hepatitis C testing. In the meantime, both organizations will work to determine the source of the infection.

Related Articles on Infection Control:

California Senate Approves Bill Designed to Improve Flu Vaccination Rates Among Healthcare Employees

5 Factors That Increase Risk of MRSA Infection Among Emergency Patients

Staph Infections Most Frequent Type of Infection Post-Cardiac Surgery

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Webinars