Information for Providers

How were patients exposed?
We believe that a terminated employee, a surgical scrub technician, is responsible for these exposures. The transmission of the disease resulted from the illegal practices of the former employee who was stealing pain medication (fentanyl) for personal use, and in the process potentially exposed patients to hepatitis C. This employee took syringes containing fentanyl from the operating room, injected herself, and refilled the syringes with saline solution. These contaminated syringes then were administered to patients during surgical procedures. We do not know how often this occurred, but based on the investigation so far, several patients may have contracted hepatitis C in this manner. Testing everyone who had a procedure during the time period that the employee worked may identify more instances of transmission.

What testing is being recommended?
Each patient who is notified will receive instructions, including a laboratory order slip, with his or her notification letter. All patients are recommended to undergo testing for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), and also may be advised to be tested for HCV RNA, depending on the timing of their procedure. Some patients who had procedures recently will need to undergo follow-up testing to ensure they are negative. This will be explained in their letter.

What should I do with my patient’s hepatitis C test results?
Colorado law requires that laboratories must report a positive hepatitis C test to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment within seven days of the test. In addition, the department is tracking all test results (positive and negative) related to this investigation. If your patient was tested using a laboratory other than those specified by Rose Medical Center or Audubon Surgery Center in the notification letter, please fax your patient’s hepatitis test results to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Viral Hepatitis Program at 303-691-7753.

If my patient had surgery at one of these locations but not on the dates listed, should they be tested?

No. The employee was not working at either of these locations beyond the dates listed. So we do not believe that patients who had procedures on different dates are at risk or need to be tested.

Do my patients need to get tested for hepatitis B virus and HIV?
Both viruses can be transmitted via blood. However, in this circumstance, we do not believe there was a risk for transmitting these two viruses.