2,400 Patients Potentially Exposed to Infectious Diseases at Providence, Legacy Hospitals

2,400 Patients Potentially Exposed to Infectious Diseases at Providence, Legacy Hospitals

Infectious Diseases Patients at Providence | Healthcare 360 Magazine

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Approximately 2,400 patients at Providence and Legacy Health facilities in the Portland area are being alerted to an “infection control breach” related to a third-party anesthesiologist, potentially exposing them to infectious diseases.

Notification and Immediate Response

Legacy Health announced it is sending letters to 221 patients who might have been affected by this breach. The exposure originated from a single provider contracted through the Oregon Anesthesiology Group, who provided care at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center over six months, starting in December 2023.

“Upon learning of this situation, we immediately suspended the provider and launched a comprehensive investigation in accordance with regulations and our policies and procedures,” Legacy Health stated.

Similarly, Providence disclosed that approximately 2,200 patients at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center and two patients at Providence Portland Medical Center were being notified of a similar breach. The exposure was also linked to a physician from the Oregon Anesthesiology Group. This physician no longer works with the anesthesiology group, and patients at Providence has ceased contracting with the group. In November 2023, Providence transitioned to Sound Physicians, a change that initially led to hundreds of delayed surgeries.

Low Risk but Precautionary Measures

Patients at Providence assured that the risk of exposure to infectious diseases, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV, was low. Patients are being notified via mailed letters and MyChart notifications.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we encourage these patients to get a blood test to screen for the aforementioned infections, at no cost. If a patient tests positive, patients at Providence will reach out to discuss their test results and next steps,” Providence said. “Patient safety is our number one priority, and our patients have our full commitment to a thorough review of this issue and appropriate action.”

The Oregon Anesthesiology Group also issued a statement, emphasizing patient safety as their top priority. “When we learned that the physician had violated infection control practices, we suspended him, informed our partners Legacy Health and Providence, and then began an investigation that resulted in the physician’s termination. Even though the risk of infection was low, new protocols and procedures have been put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.”

Official Statements and Ongoing Investigation

Both hospital systems have declined to provide further comments on the specifics of the infection control breach. However, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) released a statement, noting that there are currently no reports of illness related to the breach.

The OHA highlighted that the investigations focused on a physician who administered intravenous anesthesia and engaged in “unacceptable infection control practices,” which placed patients at risk of infections.

“While news of this infection control breach at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center and Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center may be distressing for some people, it’s important to know that Oregon’s health care providers employ highly qualified and skilled infection preventionists and laboratory staff who lead the charge to prevent health care-associated infections,” OHA stated. “In addition, local, state, and federal public health agencies work closely with health care settings to implement effective infection control practices and equip health care providers with the tools that keep patients, visitors, and the public safe.”

This incident underscores the critical importance of stringent infection control practices in healthcare settings. Both Providence and Legacy Health are committed to conducting thorough reviews and implementing necessary measures to safeguard patient health and prevent future breaches. As investigations continue, affected patients are urged to take the recommended precautionary steps and seek medical advice if needed.

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