Colonoscopy Center Hepatitis Outbreak Blamed on Unsafe Needle Practices

A 2008 hepatitis outbreak at a Nevada colonoscopy center was caused by several unsafe practices involving the handling of syringes and other medical devices, a report from state officials has concluded.

The conduct of officials at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada was so egregious that criminal charges may be warranted, according to state prosecutors cited in a UPI news report.

Nine cases of hepatitis C were positively linked to contamination at the center with more than 100 more deemed possibly associated with the facility, according to a report from The Southern Nevada Health District. All the infections could have been avoided if the center’s medical staff had followed procedures for the handling and disposal of dirty needles, officials said.

By reusing single-use syringes, vials, and other products used to draw or store blood, the center allowed blood containing hepatitis C and other infections to be spread from patient to patient. Such unethical conduct is sadly not uncommon as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare providers grapple with increasing patient loads and skyrocketing costs. Still, there is no excuse for cutting corners like was done at the Nevada colonoscopy center and putting patients’ health at risk of serious infections.

Similar Problems at VA Facilities

Also this past year, thousands of patients who underwent medical procedures at some Veterans Affairs medical centers in the South were advised to be tested for hepatitis, HIV, and AIDS after it was found that workers were not following policies for the proper use of medical tubing and other medical equipment.

Nevada officials had urged about 50,000 patients who were treated at the center to be tested for hepatitis. It is unclear how many of those patients actually followed through on having the test, but officials said the cost of testing and treating the hepatitis outbreak could range from $16.3 million to $21.9 million, according to UPI.

Dr. Dipak Desai, the majority owner of the clinic, and unnamed staff members who are accused of engaging in unethical and unsafe medical practices may face criminal or civil charges for their roles in the outbreak, officials said.

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