Hundreds of patients at Salem Hospital are currently facing the uncertainty of what to do next after being informed that they may have been exposed to HIV and Hepatitis B and C. The Department of Public Health is currently investigating the Endoscopy Department of the hospital, as patients there were alerted to the potential exposure. Salem Hospital has acknowledged that the issue has been ongoing for two years, and that endoscopy patients were receiving medications in a manner that was not consistent with best practices.
Medical malpractice attorney, Michael Walsh, advises patients who have been notified to get tested right away. However, he also cautions patients to be careful when signing any paperwork at the hospital. While there may be consent forms for testing, patients should avoid signing anything that would release the hospital or any institution from liability in the event that they were infected.
Salem Hospital has stated that patients were potentially exposed to Hepatitis B and C as well as HIV, but has not provided an explanation for how this could have happened. The hospital claims that the risk of infection from this event is extremely small. However, Walsh advises patients who test positive to seek the expertise of an attorney to determine if medical malpractice was involved.
Walsh emphasizes that the details of the case will matter, as even patients who test negative could potentially have a case if the hospital is found to have violated the standard of care. The hospital has notified the 450 patients affected by this potential exposure. If patients have not yet been notified, there is no reason for them to worry. Salem Hospital has also assured that they will cover any necessary follow-up care.
Source: Youtube
