UMass Memorial announces changes after Hepatitis C case
UMass Memorial Medical Center (UMMMC) is changing the way it manages and staffs its hemodialysis unit at the University Campus in Worcester after it was confirmed that a patient was infected with the Hepatitis C virus there last year.
According to a memo sent by UMMMC CEO Patrick Muldoon and Chief Medical Office Margaret Hudlin to employees on Jan 31, the hospital learned in September 2013 that a hemodialysis patient was infected with Hepatitis C, a chronic disease of the liver that is commonly spread through blood-to-blood contact –sometimes by way of poorly sterilized medical equipment.
Because it’s an infectious disease, the case was reported to the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) for investigation and it was determined that the infection took place in the hemodialysis unit, according to UMMMC.
The hospital said it doesn’t appear any other patients were infected with the virus, which can lead to life-threatening conditions caused by cirrhosis. UMass Memorial Health Care spokesman Robert Brogna said in a statement Monday that all patients who received treatment in the unit around the same time as the infected patient have been asked to be tested for the virus. So far, no other cases have been identified, according to UMMMC.
“The majority of the potentially affected patients have already undergone testing through their normal course of care and we have seen no additional hepatitis infections that would have resulted from the transmission event. This leads us to believe this event was a single, isolated incident. Still, for the safety of our patients, we are asking those patients who have not been tested recently to receive testing to confirm this finding,” Brogna wrote.
He went on to highlight the hospital system’s commitment to quality health care.
“One incident like this is one too many. This situation was extremely unfortunate, and does not represent the high standards to which we hold our facilities and our staff. We took immediate, extensive steps to ensure that our hemodialysis patients receive safe, high-quality care at all times.
“New policies and tightened procedures have been implemented on the University Campus unit, all staff on the unit have undergone supplemental education and training, and changes to the operating structure of the unit have been completed,” Brogna wrote.
Meanwhile, last week’s memo detailed changes ahead for the unit to prevent another infection from occurring.
“This difficult situation in the University hemodialysis unit provides an important opportunity to improve the quality and safety of the care we provide. In dialysis, our medical, nursing and administrative leaders have identified and implemented a number of changes that will ensure that the University Campus unit, as well as the unit on the Memorial Campus, meet or exceed all best practices for hemodialysis care. The changes are:
- A change in governance of the unit and improved accountability for quality of care;
-Staff changes;
-Clarified and streamlined policies and procedures for care;
-Enhanced staff education and training in evidence-based, best practices; and
-Standardized and regular assessments of best-practice compliance
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