Hepatitis cases linked to Beckley clinic likely caused by human error

Although how 12 Raleigh Heart Clinic patients became infected with hepatitis is unknown, four separate clusters of the disease suggests it happened due to human error at the clinic, not from injected medication itself, confirms the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
Two distinct clusters of hepatitis C across eight patients, and two additional clusters were of hepatitis B across four patients are connected to the Beckley clinic, according to DHHR Director of Communications Allison Adler.
About 2,300 patients who received injectable medication during cardiac stress tests performed between March 1, 2012, and March 27, 2015, are at risk of having been exposed and are urged to get tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
A Frequently Asked Questions flyer DHHR sent to at-risk patients states patients can become exposed to blood-borne pathogens when health care professionals do not thoroughly disinfect and sterilize instruments, properly dispose of sharp objects, properly use single dose and multi-dose medication vials or reuse items such as needles and syringes between patients.
However, investigators observed the clinic's practices and did not identify a specific reason for the transmission of hepatitis.
According to DHHR, the Bureau for Public Health, has not received additional laboratory-confirmed reports of patients with hepatitis since the March 11 notice went out to patients.
The investigation began in November 2014 when a patient without the usual risk factors tested positive for hepatitis C.
On Monday, DHHR confirmed Raleigh Heart Clinic was asked to cease procedures until "corrective actions could be taken." The clinic now only uses singe use vials and single dose medication, all staff has been trained in injection safety and infection control, and they have switched to a needleless injection system.
Needle-free injections work by forcing medications through a tiny opening (smaller than the diameter of human hair), which is held against the skin. The small stream of medication under high pressure penetrates the skin without using a needle.
The clinic is currently permitted to conduct cardiac stress tests.
A class action lawsuit against the clinic was filed on March 24 in Raleigh County Circuit Court by Beckley Attorney Stephen P. New.