Hepatitis C Found at 2nd Colo. Hospital Where Rogue Surgical Tech Worked

Colorado health officials say a person treated at a second hospital where a former surgical technician who was addicted to painkillers is accused of spreading hepatitis C by sharing needles with patients has tested positive for the blood-borne liver disease.

The new case identified at Audubon Surgery Center in Colorado Springs would bring to 20 the number of people suspected of being infected with hepatitis C by Kristen Diane Parker. However, health officials have not yet confirmed that the new case was in fact caused by Parker’s alleged misconduct.

Parker, 26, was arrested and indicted this week on charges she used syringes carrying powerful painkillers on herself then reused the dirty needles on patients. Parker allegedly knew she was carrying hepatitis C at the time she used the needles on her patients.

She worked at Rose Medical Center in Denver from October 21, 2008 until April 13, 2009. She then went to work at Audubon from May 4, 2009 until July 6, 2009, officials said. Officials in Mount Kisco, New York, and in Houston also are investigating possible cases from Parker’s time working in those areas before her arrival in Colorado.

At least 6,000 surgical patients may have been exposed to hepatitis C by Parker. People who underwent surgery at the hospitals during Parker’s time there are urged to have blood tests to determine whether they were infected.

Parker was indicted this week on 42 federal charges of tampering and obtaining a controlled substance.

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