Due to ‘deficiencies in infection control’ more than 3,000 patients possibly exposed to HIV, hepatitis in New Jersey surgery center
- HealthPlus Surgery Center in Saddle Brook, NJ, says 3,779 patients should get their blood tested
- The New Jersey Department of Health says the risk of infection is low, and called it ‘an abundance of caution’ to suggest that people be tested
- Exposure may have been due to ‘deficiencies in infection control’ involving the cleaning of instruments and injection of medications.
The New Jersey Department of Health says more than 3,000 patients at a surgery center may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Officials say patients who had procedures done at the HealthPlus Surgery Center in Saddle Brook between January 2018 and Sept. 7, 2018 may have been exposed.
The center was closed by the Department of Health from September 7 to September 28, according to NorthJersey.com.
Surgery center administrator Betty McCabe says the exposure was due to ‘deficiencies in infection control’ involving the cleaning of instruments and injection of medications.
HealtPlus Surgery Center in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, was closed by the health department for much of September
McCabe says 3,778 patients are being urged to get their blood tested.
The health department says the risk of infection is low, and no illnesses have been reported. The department called it ‘an abundance of caution’ to suggest that people be tested.
Deficiencies in the cleaning of instruments and injection of medications may have exposed patients to HIV or hepatitis B and C
McCabe says the center is offering to pay medical costs associated with testing.
‘It is important to note that to date, there have not been reports of any infections or illness related to the investigation,’ McCabe said.
‘We recognize that this may be upsetting to our patients, and we are taking this matter very seriously and taking steps to assist them during this process.’