Lawsuit filed against Providence Health and Oregon Anesthesiology Group after possible HIV exposure

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Providence Health following claims that 2,200 people were possibly exposed to HIV and hepatitis.

According to the lawsuit, four patients filing the claim received IV anesthesia services during surgical procedures at Providence facilities.

During the surgeries, anesthesia was performed by a contracted physician who “failed to adhere to infection control procedures" and therefore potentially exposed the patients to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

Hospital officials first raised the alarm on the issue two weeks ago, releasing a public safety notice – and revealing that thousands of patients may have been exposed to the infectious diseases.

Providence’s Communications Director Gary Walker says the patients are at low risk of exposure, but patients who were exposed will receive a letter in the mail and/or a MyChart notification from Providence.

The physician was employed by Oregon Anesthesiology Group (OAG) and they are no longer an employee of OAG or working at Providence locations. The doctor has not been publicly identified.

Providence says out of caution, they urge the patients who are contacted to get a blood test to screen for infections. Health officials say that if a patient tests positive, Providence will reach out to them to discuss their test results and next steps.

The suit claims gross negligence on the part of Providence and an independent anesthesiology firm, which contracted out the anesthesiologist to work at Providence.

The exact nature of the exposure and a timeline of events has not yet been revealed.

Lawyers representing the four initial plaintiffs are asking to be recognized as a class, allowing the lawsuit to represent all of the 2,200 patients impacted at Providence. The case will next be heard by an Oregon district judge.

All plaintiffs participating so far are Clackamas County residents.

https://katu.com/news/local/class-action-lawsuit-filed-after-thousands-of-patients-possibly-exposed-to-hiv-in-portland
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Author: KATU News
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News post in at: July 30, 2024, 3:03 am.

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