State to test 300 former patients for hepatitis exposure

<br>NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ At least 300 former patients of Norman Regional Hospital's pain management clinic will be asked to have testing for hepatitis C, the Oklahoma Health Department said. <br><br>The

Wednesday, September 4th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ At least 300 former patients of Norman Regional Hospital's pain management clinic will be asked to have testing for hepatitis C, the Oklahoma Health Department said.

The notice comes four days after the hospital confirmed six former patients tested positive for the disease. State epidemiologist Dr. Mike Crutcher said appropriate medical procedures were not followed by a certified registered nurse anesthetist working at the clinic and syringes, intravenous lines and pain medicine were contaminated.

Grant Farrimond, the hospital's director of public relations, said the anesthetist apparently used ``sloppy infectious disease controls'' and ``wasn't following universal precautions'' during spine block procedures.

Crutcher said the six former patients are in good condition. The health department now wants to contact patients treated between Dec. 31 and July 19.

The male anesthetist linked to the hepatitis exposure has not been identified. He is no longer allowed to practice at the hospital.

The Oklahoma Board of Nursing has been contacted about a possible investigation of the man.

The health department says the contaminations appear to be accidental.

Crutcher said hepatitis C is the most serious of the disease's three strains. It becomes chronic without complete recovery for more than 60 percent of the patients who contract it, he said.

Symptoms include feeling tired or sick to the stomach, fever, loss of appetite, stomach pain and diarrhea. Some people with the virus develop dark yellow urine, light-colored stools and yellowish eyes and skin.

Four acute cases of hepatitis C have been reported to the Health Department so far this year.