An attorney representing a nurse who lost her license over accusations that she infected at least two patients with hepatitis C, said a blood test shows the former nurse does not have the virus, according to Kiro 7 News.
"The blood test concluded undetective for hepatitis C virus," said attorney Bryan Hershman. "That means she does not have hep C."
The 31-year-old nurse, Cora Weberg, quit her job in the emergency room at Puyallup, Wash.-based MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital earlier this year after hospital officials accused her of infecting patients with the virus, possibly by using needles on herself to inject narcotics and using those same needles on patients, the TV station reported.
Ms. Weberg denied these actions during a May 8 news conference.
"I want everyone to know that I never intentionally or unintentionally stuck anyone with a needle with which I'd previously stuck myself," she said. "Of all the allegations that have been made against me, this is the most awful."
An investigation by the Washington Health Department revealed “numerous controlled substance discrepancies” involving Weberg, who reportedly admitted diverting injectable fentanyl and hydromorphone for her personal use,'' Kiro 7 News reported.
Ms. Weberg was stripped of her nursing license as a result of the allegations but was never charged with a crime.
There was never strong evidence against Ms. Weberg, her attorney said. He cited a letter he obtained from the CDC, which tested antibodies found in Ms. Weberg's blood against blood from two Good Samaritan Hospital patients who tested positive for hepatitis C after receiving treatment at the facility.
"There is almost no chance to link the respondent [Ms. Weberg] with the patients, except that she's the only nurse common to both patients," Mr. Hershman said, quoting the letter.
A MultiCare spokesperson told Kiro 7 the hospital still is investigating an outbreak of hepatitis C at the facility.