Providence said hundreds of patients are being asked to be tested for hepatitis B and C, as well as HIV, because of possible exposure to an anesthesiologist.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Approximately 2,400 patients at Providence and Legacy Health facilities in the Portland area are being notified of an “infection control breach” involving an outside anesthesiologist who may have exposed them to infectious diseases.
Legacy Health said in a statement that it is sending letters to 221 patients who may have been affected.
Legacy said the exposure came from a single health care provider contracted through the Oregon Anesthesiology Group who provided care at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center for a six-month period beginning in December 2023.
“Upon becoming aware of this situation, we immediately suspended the healthcare provider and initiated a comprehensive investigation, in accordance with regulations and our policies and procedures,” the hospital group said.
In a separate statement, Providence said about 2,200 patients at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center and two patients at Providence Portland Medical Center were notified of a similar breach. The hospital system confirmed that the exposure was also linked to a single physician employed by the Oregon Anesthesiology Group.
That doctor, Providence said, no longer works for the anesthesiology group, and the hospital system no longer contracts with the group. In November 2023, Providence switched from Oregon Anesthesiology Group to Sound Physicians, which at the time contributed to hundreds of delayed surgeries.
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Providence said its patients were at “low risk of exposure” to infectious diseases, including hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Patients were notified via letter and MyChart notifications.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we encourage these patients to have a blood test to screen for the infections listed above, at no cost. If a patient tests positive, Providence will contact you to discuss the test results and next steps,” Providence said. “Patient Safety is our highest priority and our patients can count on our full commitment to a thorough assessment of this issue and appropriate action.”
Both hospital organizations declined to comment further on the infection control breach and did not elaborate on the circumstances.
A spokesperson for Oregon Anesthesiology Group also declined interviews but did provide a brief statement:
“The safety of our patients is our top priority. When we learned that the physician had violated infection control practices, we suspended him, notified our partners Legacy Health and Providence, and then initiated an investigation that resulted in the physician’s termination. While the risk of infection was low, new protocols and procedures have been put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.”
The Oregon Health Authority released a statement about the breach, saying that the agency is not currently aware of any reports of illnesses related to it. They also clarified that investigations into the breach focused on a physician who administered intravenous anesthesia and “implemented unacceptable infection control practices, putting patients at risk for infections.”
“While news of this infection control breach at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center and Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center may be disturbing to some, it is important to know that Oregon’s health care providers employ highly qualified and skilled infection preventionists and laboratory personnel who are leading the charge to prevent (health care-associated infections),” OHA said. “In addition, local, state, and federal public health agencies are working closely with health care facilities to implement effective infection control practices and provide health care providers with the tools that keep patients, visitors, and the public safe.”