A Portland-area woman, identified only as K.S.,has filed a $4 million lawsuit against Providence Health & Services and the Oregon Anesthesiology Group, alleging that she contracted Hepatitis C during a 2021 hand surgery. The lawsuit claims that lapses in infection control procedures led to her exposure to the virus, which is primarily spread through contact with infected blood.
K.S. is one of more than 2,400 patients who received letters from Providence and Legacy Health last summer, warning them of potential exposure to HIV, hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and other infections due to safety protocol violations between 2017 and June 2024. The letters were sent after it was discovered that an anesthesiologist had failed to follow proper infection control measures. K.S. underwent surgery at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center in Oregon City, which is why only Providence and the Oregon Anesthesiology Group are named as defendants in the lawsuit.
“I was kind of shocked,” K.S. told the Oregonian/OregonLive. “I thought it was a fake letter.” Though, after receiving a second letter, she decided to get tested and discovered she had contracted hepatitis C. An infectious disease expert hired by her lawyer concluded that the surgery was the most likely source of her infection. “I go in there and lay on a gurney, and someone comes and knocks you out,” she said.“I mean, I never thought anything would happen.”
K.S. has as started an eight-week course of antiviral medication, which is considered a groundbreaking treatment for Hepatitis C. While providence has agreed to cover the cost of the medication,which can run into tens of thousands of dollars,K.S. has faced months-long delays in receiving the treatment. She expressed frustration over the delays and concerns about potential permanent liver damage. “I have been on the hook for a few $5 co-pays,” she said, “but the delays have been unbearable.”
Providence and the Oregon anesthesiology Group have not commented on the lawsuit or confirmed whether other patients have been identified with infections. The case highlights the critical importance of adhering to infection control protocols in healthcare settings, especially given the potentially life-threatening consequences of diseases like Hepatitis C.
Key Points of the Case
Table of Contents
| Aspect | Details |
|—————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Plaintiff | K.S., a Portland-area woman |
| Defendants | Providence Health & Services, Oregon Anesthesiology Group |
| Allegation | Contracted Hepatitis C during 2021 hand surgery due to safety lapses |
| Number of Patients Notified | Over 2,400 patients received exposure notification letters |
| Treatment | Eight-week antiviral medication course, delayed by months |
| Lawsuit Amount | $4 million |
This case underscores the need for rigorous adherence to safety protocols in medical settings. For more information on Hepatitis C and its transmission, visit the World Health Organization’s fact sheet.If you or someone you know may have been affected, consider reaching out to legal or medical professionals for guidance.Portland Anesthesiologist Under Investigation Amid Patient Safety Concerns
A Portland-area anesthesiologist, stephen carl Swank, is at the center of a growing controversy after voluntarily withdrawing from practice amid an ongoing investigation by the Oregon medical Board.The probe, which remains open, focuses on Swank’s “ability to safely and competently practice medicine,” though specific details about the allegations have not been disclosed.Swank, who had up to a decade of experience in anesthesiology, signed an agreement on June 25, 2024, to step away from practice pending the outcome of the investigation. According to medical records cited by attorney Michael Fuller, Swank was the anesthesiologist who sedated Fuller’s client during a procedure. Fuller expressed frustration with the lack of transparency from Providence Health, stating, “They’re being very vague.”
The investigation comes in the wake of a broader patient safety scare that has left thousands of individuals in the Portland area anxious about potential exposure to HIV and hepatitis. Last summer,six patients filed a federal lawsuit seeking class action status,citing the emotional distress of waiting for test results. The lawsuit,which did not identify any patients as having contracted infections,was dismissed in December. Court records do not clarify the reason for the dismissal, and attorneys for the plaintiffs could not be reached for comment.Neither the lawsuit from last summer nor a more recent legal filing names Swank as the suspected anesthesiologist responsible for the alleged lapses. However, Fuller’s client, a woman who underwent a procedure involving Swank, has raised concerns about how hospital staff could have overlooked potential issues over a years-long period.
Swank has not responded to requests for comment from The Oregonian/OregonLive, leaving many questions unanswered. The Oregon Medical Board’s investigation remains active,and the agreement signed by Swank provides no further insight into the nature of the allegations.
Key Points at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|————————————-|———————————————————————————|
| Anesthesiologist | Stephen Carl Swank |
| Investigation status | Open, pending outcome of Oregon Medical Board probe |
| Voluntary Withdrawal | Swank agreed to step away from practice on June 25, 2024 |
| Patient Concerns | Potential exposure to HIV and hepatitis; thousands notified |
| Legal Action | Class action lawsuit filed last summer, dismissed in December |
As the investigation continues, patients and their families are left grappling with uncertainty. Providence Health has yet to provide detailed explanations, fueling frustration and calls for accountability.
For more information on the Oregon Medical Board’s investigation, visit their official verification page. To read the full agreement signed by Swank, click here.
Stay informed as this story develops, and share your thoughts on how healthcare systems can improve transparency in patient safety matters.Thousands of Patients potentially Exposed to Infections at Portland-Area Hospitals
In a startling revelation, thousands of patients across three Portland-area hospitals may have been exposed to infections due to lapses in infection control protocols. The affected facilities include Providence Willamette falls Medical Center in Oregon City, Providence Portland Medical Center in Northeast Portland, and Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham.
According to statements from Providence and Legacy, approximately 2,200 patients at Providence Willamette falls, two patients at Providence Portland, and 221 patients at Legacy Mount Hood were potentially impacted. The exposure stems from an “infection control breach” linked to a physician who allegedly failed to follow complete infection prevention practices during certain procedures.The infections in question include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), all of which can have severe long-term health consequences if left untreated.Hospitals are urging affected patients to undergo blood tests to determine if they have been infected.
This incident has raised significant concerns about patient safety and the enforcement of infection control standards in healthcare settings. Hospitals have assured the public that they are taking immediate steps to address the breach and prevent future occurrences.
Key Details at a Glance
| Hospital | Number of patients Potentially Exposed |
|———————————–|——————————————–|
| Providence Willamette Falls | 2,200 |
| providence Portland | 2 |
| Legacy Mount Hood | 221 |
patients who may have been affected are encouraged to contact their healthcare providers for further guidance. For more information on the incident, visit the official statements from Providence and Legacy.
this developing story underscores the critical importance of adhering to infection control protocols in healthcare settings. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of all patients.For updates on this story, follow Aimee Green, who covers breaking news and the justice system, on Twitter at @o_aimee or reach her via email at [email protected].
this case highlights notable concerns about patient safety and medical accountability in the Portland area. Below is a summary of the key details and implications:
Case Overview
- Plaintiff: K.S., a Portland-area woman who contracted Hepatitis C during a 2021 hand surgery.
- Defendants: Providence Health & Services and Oregon Anesthesiology Group.
- Allegation: The plaintiff claims she contracted hepatitis C due to safety lapses during her surgery.
- Scope: Over 2,400 patients were notified of potential exposure to Hepatitis C and other infections.
- Treatment: The plaintiff underwent an eight-week antiviral medication course, which was delayed by several months.
- Lawsuit Amount: The plaintiff is seeking $4 million in damages.
Anesthesiologist Under Inquiry
- Name: Stephen carl Swank, a Portland-area anesthesiologist.
- Investigation Status: The Oregon Medical Board is investigating Swank’s ability to safely and competently practice medicine. The investigation remains open, and specific allegations have not been disclosed.
- Voluntary Withdrawal: Swank agreed to step away from practice on June 25, 2024, pending the outcome of the investigation.
- Patient Concerns: Thousands of patients were notified about potential exposure to HIV and Hepatitis C, leading to widespread anxiety and distress.
- Legal Action: A class-action lawsuit was filed last summer but was dismissed in December 2023. The lawsuit did not identify any patients who contracted infections, and the reason for dismissal remains unclear.
Key Issues
- Transparency: Patients and their families have expressed frustration with the lack of detailed details from Providence Health and the Oregon Medical Board.
- Accountability: Questions remain about how potential safety lapses were overlooked over an extended period.
- patient Impact: The emotional and physical toll on affected patients, including delays in treatment and uncertainty about exposure, underscores the need for robust safety protocols.
Next Steps
- Patients who may have been affected are encouraged to seek legal or medical guidance.
- The Oregon Medical Board’s investigation is ongoing, and further updates may provide clarity on the allegations and potential outcomes.
- Providence Health has yet to provide detailed explanations, fueling calls for greater accountability and transparency.
Resources
- For more information on Hepatitis C, visit the World health organization’s fact sheet.
- For updates on the Oregon medical Board’s investigation, visit their official website.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous safety protocols in medical settings and the need for transparency and accountability in addressing patient concerns.
