Admitted Illegal Drug User Exposed Thousands to Hep C
Rose Medical Center is offering free testing for hepatitis C for patients who underwent surgery at the main hospital or the Wolf Building between October 21, 2008 and April 13, 2009 where a former technician may have exposed thousands. The technician, Kristen Parsons, is charged with switching her used dirty syringes, refilled them with saline solution, for ones containting the powerful painkiller and narcotic Fentanyl. Hospital officials said they were aware of Parsons Hepatitis C when she was hired. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates more than 8,000 people a year die from hepatitis C-related liver disease. The CDC also states that for every 100 people who contract the disease, 75 to 85 will develop a chronic infection. About 60 to 70 will develop chronic liver disease. About five to 20 will develop cirrhosis over a period of 20 to 30 years. Between one and five will die of liver cancer or cirrhosis.
