At least 11 cases of hepatitis C have been linked to a former employee of HealthOne Rose Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. The employee, Kristen Diane Parker, allegedly injected herself with painkillers, including fentanyl, meant for patients, then filled the used syringes with saline solution. She allegedly knew at the time that she was infected.

Ms. Parker worked at Rose Medical Center from October 2008 to April of 2009. She then worked at Audubon Surgery Center from May 2009 until her arrest by federal agents in June of 2009. No cases of hepatitis C have been linked to Audubon Surgery Center to date.

Rose Medical has notified 4,700 patients that they may have been infected with hepatitis. Audubon Surgery Center notified 900.

Our law firm does not represent people in cases like the one above, but we would like to provide the following information as a public service:

“Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Hepatitis is most often caused by a virus. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can also cause hepatitis.

Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis C virus. When first infected, a person can develop an “acute” infection, which can range in severity from a very mild illness with few or no symptoms to a serious condition requiring hospitalization.

Labels: hepatitis, medical malpractice lawyer