Improper colonoscope sanitation leads to blood tests for 293 peopleDate: 1/29/2016 WESTFIELD – A lack of proper equipment prevented medical devices used in colonoscopies to receive a complete cleaning have caused Baystate Noble Hospital to ask 293 patients to undergo a simple blood test.
The patients underwent the procedure from June 2012 to April 2013. Dr. Sarah Haessler, an infectious-disease physician and Baystate’s head epidemiologist told Reminder Publications “the risk to patients is very, very low,” but the blood test would determine if the patients had contracted blood-borne diseases hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
The incomplete cleaning procedure was discovered last month during a visit from officials of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Ronald Bryant, president of the hospital, said the hospital was informed Jan. 1 and began preparing to inform patients. Over-night delivery letters that were certified were sent out Jan. 20. The geographic area in which the patients live is the Westfield area.
Haessler said the turnaround time on the blood tests is five days.
“We appreciate the partnership of the Department of Public Health in identifying this problem and responding to it,” Dr. Stanley Strzempko, interim chief medical officer of Baystate Noble Hospital said. “We’re working closely with the primary care providers of those affected to ensure that they receive screening, timely access to results, and any other support we can provide.”
Haessler explained that in 2012 the endoscope used for the procedure that had three channels or tubes used for different purposes was replaced by one with four channels. Each of these channels was washed manually after use and then attached to a device, which would then clean them chemically. The hospital did not have the adaptor to connect all four tubes to the chemical cleanser so one tube did not receive the added treatment.
A proper adaptor was obtained in April 2013.
Haessler explained the fourth tube was used to flush sterile saline into the colon.
“On behalf of Baystate Noble Hospital and Baystate Health, I apologize to all those affected by this failure in safety,” Ronald Bryant, president of the hospital, said. “The safety of our patients is our very highest priority, and we take full responsibility for our part in allowing these patients to have potentially received unsafe care.”
Hospital officials added that if a person did not receive a notification, he or she “don’t have cause for concern.”
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