Anesthesiologist allegedly exposed Oregon patients to illness

An Oregon anesthesiologist has been suspended amid concerns he could have exposed greater than 2,000 patients to HIV and hepatitis at two Portland-area hospitals — Providence Portland Willamette Falls Medical Center and Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center.

The physician provided hospital services through Oregon Anesthesiology Group for about six months.

According to KGW 8 patients who got here into contact with an anesthesiologist were notified of an “infection control violation.” In an announcement, Legacy Health, the group that manages hospital operations at Legacy Mount Hood Mount, said it “has suspended the provider and initiated a comprehensive investigation in accordance with regulations and our policies and procedures.”

Providence, the group that gives the identical services to Providence Portland Williams Falls Medical Center, canceled the doctor’s contract and barred the group that referred him from working for the hospital. The latter video led to a whole bunch of surgeries being delayed.

While Providence issued an announcement saying the danger of exposure was “low,” it urged patients who had contact with the doctor to get tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C.

“As a precaution, we are encouraging these patients to get a free blood test to check for the infections listed above. If a patient tests positive, Providence will contact them to discuss their test results and next steps,” Providence said in an announcement. “Patient safety is our number one priority, and our patients are fully committed to reviewing this issue thoroughly and taking appropriate action.”

In an announcement, Oregon Anesthesiology Group said it fired the doctor after an investigation and “new protocols and procedures have been put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.”