Temple University Hospital Offers Hepatitis C Screening To 312 Patients
By Molly Daly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Temple University Hospital is offering free hepatitis C testing to 312 patients after a temporary medical technician was charged with causing an outbreak of the virus in New Hampshire.
David Kwiatkowski worked in the Interventional Radiology Department for three weeks in April 2010.
Associate Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marc Hurowitz says the hospital has identified 312 patients who were treated in the unit from April 7th to 30th, 2010.
"We contacted all of the patients that were seen in that department, and we've offered to do free hepatitis C screening and evaluation of the test results, and obviously any type of counseling or addressing the concerns those patients may have," Hurowitz explained.
Hurowitz says there was no indication of inappropriate behavior while Kwiatkowski worked at the hospital.
"We had no reports of any concerns from an infection control or a drug diversion standpoint. We have very, very tight controls, our medications are dispensed by nurses, not technologists."