More than 2,400 patients in Portland, Oregon, are being alerted about possible exposure to infectious diseases including hepatitis B and C, as well as HIV, due to concerns that an anesthesiologist may not have adhered to proper infection control procedures, as per officials. Providence has disclosed that approximately 2,200 individuals seen at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center in Oregon City, along with two patients at Providence Portland Medical Center, are being informed that the actions of the said physician may have placed them at a slight risk of exposure to potential infections. These persons are being urged to undergo a complimentary blood test for screening for the infections. In case of a positive test result, Providence will make contact to discuss the outcomes and subsequent steps.
The anesthesiologist was employed by Oregon Anesthesiology Group and served at the two Providence facilities from 2017 to 2023. Additionally, the physician worked at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham for a six-month period starting in December 2023, with Legacy Health confirming that communication is being sent to 221 potentially impacted patients, as reported by KGW-TV.
According to Oregon Anesthesiology Group, the physician has been dismissed following the breach. The specific identity of the physician has not been disclosed. The group stated that upon learning of the violation of infection control practices, the physician was suspended, Legacy Health and Providence were notified, and an inquiry was initiated leading to the termination of the physician. Consequently, new protocols and procedures have been established to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The Oregon Health Authority reported that investigations into the breach have been primarily focused on a physician responsible for administering intravenous anesthesia and who engaged in “unacceptable infection control practices, putting patients at risk.” The OHA is collaborating with Legacy and Providence in their respective probes into the breaches of infection control practices. Thus far, there have been “no reports of illness associated with this infection control breach,” the health authority stated.
