Mayo expands investigation of hepatitis C transmission

Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., has continued to work with the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), following the possible transmission of hepatitis C infection to patients from a former employee.

In late August, Mayo reported firing one of its licensed radiologic technologists, identified as a possible source of transmission of hepatitis C infection to three transplant patients, who underwent invasive interventional radiology procedures while at the facility.

Effective last week, 2,100 additional patients were sent letters urging them to undergo hepatitis C testing, based on those who underwent care in interventional radiology at St. Luke’s Hospital from 2004 to April 11, 2008, when Mayo Clinic owned St. Luke’s Hospital, Mayo stated.

The clinic has focused on meeting the needs of patients who received letters asking them to undergo testing, notifying patients of testing results and answering questions over the past month following the technologist being removed from patient care after admitting to using drugs intended for patients, Mayo Clinic said in a release.

According to the clinic, labs have been drawn or scheduled for approximately 2,400 patients as of Sept. 19. Individuals who receive a positive result will be assigned a care coordinator to answer questions, coordinate appointments and care at Mayo Clinic or transmit information to the patient’s primary care physician. Patients who receive a negative result will be provided a personal contact to answer any questions. While positive results are being reported to the DOH and CDC, Mayo will not publicly disclose patient test results.

Additional information can be found here.