Delay in notifying patients of improper syringe use
http://www.burgsimpson.com/malpractice.htmlNew York State health officials notified 628 patients that they should be tested for hepatitis and H.I.V. infection because they were treated years ago by an anesthesiologist who used improper procedures for preventing the spread of blood-borne diseases. The anesthesiologist, Dr. Harvey Finkelstein, first became the focus of a state health investigation in 2005 after two of his patients contracted hepatitis C. At that time investigators found that CDC recommended practices were being violated by Dr. Finkelstein, 52, when he reused syringes while drawing medication from vials. For example in one case he opened a new syringe, but drew medication from a used vial, thus causing the patient to contract hepatitis C. Raymond Bookstaver, 49 was one of two patients initially identified as having been infected by Dr. Finkelstein’s improper use of syringes. “I feel like I went to a doctor for help, and what I got instead was a death sentence,” Mr. Bookstaver said. His hepatitis is being treated, but erupts unpredictably, causing him to suffer flu like symptoms including nausea, vomiting and aching that leaves him bedridden. Dr Finkelstein is not the only doctor, more doctors in the state have been reported to state health officials in the last several years for reusing syringes.
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