Former Surgical Tech Admits Infecting Patients With Hepatitis C

A former Colorado surgical technician has pleaded guilty to federal charges she stole pain drugs then shared the dirty needles with patients, exposing thousands of people to a risk of Hepatitis C.

Kristen D. Parker, who also worked at hospitals in New York and Texas, pleaded guilty to charges of tampering with a consumer product and obtaining a controlled substance by deceit. She now faces a 20-year prison sentence when she is formally sentenced, according to a New York Times report.

Parker fed her addiction to pain-killing drugs by taking medications set aside for surgical patients, injecting the drugs into herself, then filling the syringes with saline solution and returning them to surgical trays for later use on patients.

States Investigate Possible Infections

At least 27 patients at Rose Medical Center in Denver and Audubon Surgery Center in Colorado Springs, where Parker worked from October 21, 2008 until July 6, 2009, have tested positive for the serious blood disorder that can permanently affect liver functioning, officials said.

Officials also warned thousands of other patients at Northern Westchester Hospital Mount Kisco, New York and Christus St. John Hospital near Houston, where Parker worked before moving to Colorado. It is unclear how many patients may have been exposed to dirty needles at those facilities, but officials sent warning letters to more than 6,000 people who underwent surgical procedures during Parker’s stints there.

Parker was arrested over the summer, indicted on more than 40 federal charges, and faced a possible life prison term if convicted. However, she agreed to plead guilty and in exchange for that cooperation now faces a maximum term of 20 years, officials said.

Victims’ Attorney Unhappy With Plea Bargain

An attorney for nine of the Colorado victims said he was disappointed with the government’s decision to cut a deal with Parker in exchange for a reduced prison term.

“They’re devastated and would have liked to have had some input,” said attorney Hollynd Hoskins, who said she plans to file a civil suit against the hospital, according to the Times report.

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