Clinic accused of reusing syringes sued

LAS VEGAS - A former patient sued a surgical center believed to have
spread hepatitis C by reusing syringes and vials of medication, saying
Thursday he fears for his health.

The suit comes a day after the Southern Nevada Health District
announced that unsafe practices at the clinic may have led to six
reported cases of hepatitis C, a potentially fatal blood-borne virus.

Another 40,000 people who received anesthesia at the Endoscopy Center
of Southern Nevada between March 2004 and January 2008 are being urged
to be tested for hepatitis, strains C and B, and HIV.

"I feel like a ticking time bomb. I'll get tested ASAP, but since HIV
can lay dormant for many years, my wife and I face a future of
uncertainty and fear," according to a statement from the plaintiff,
Charles Anthony Rader, Jr., who says he received treatment during that
period and may have been exposed.

The suit, filed in the Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada,
alleges gross negligence and seeks punitive damages "in excess of
$10,000" per patient.

Nancy Katz, a spokeswoman hired by the center, did not immediately
return a call seeking comment on the lawsuit.

Las Vegas attorney Peter Wetherall said other patients have joined the
suit and expect more in the coming days. Nevada law only requires one
plaintiff be identified at the time of filing a class action lawsuit,
he said.

The suit names as defendants the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada;
the center's chief administrator, Dipak Desai; a center doctor, Eladio
Carrera; as well as any employees who "directly provided and/or
supervised" unsafe medical procedures.

The clinic issued a statement Wednesday saying it had cleaned up its
practices and was cooperating with the health district's
investigation.

Health officials say they believe the center had been reusing syringes
and vials of anesthesia, exposing its patients to the blood of others.

Five of those infected with the virus received treatment at the clinic
on the same day in late September; a sixth is believed to have been
infected in July, health officials said.

more information http://www.healthect.com
.

Relevant Pages