WA doctor 'fails infection protocols'

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WA doctor 'fails infection protocols'

ANDREA HAYWARD

April 29, 2010

AAP

More than 200 patients have potentially been exposed to viruses including HIV

and hepatitis after a doctor allegedly failed to adhere to infection control

protocols, although health authorities say the risk is low.

An anaesthetist who worked at a number of regional hospitals in Western

Australia's northwest between 2008 and early this month is being investigated

for breaching infection control protocols.

WA Country Health Services (WACHS) medical director Felicity Jefferies said the

doctor, who treated 250 patients at hospitals in Port Hedland, Karratha and

Derby, had been suspended during the investigation.

Dr Jefferies said the man was an experienced doctor but had been reported by

another staff member for breaching the protocols.

She said there was a " very, very low risk " patients had been exposed to a number

of infections through cross-blood contamination.

" The diseases are blood-borne virus infections, things such as hepatitis B and

C, HIV and possibly syphilis, " Dr Jefferies said.

A panel of experts had determined there was a low risk that patients were

exposed to the viruses, Dr Jefferies said.

The breach of protocol involved the use of equipment in administering

anaesthetics in procedures including colonoscopies and endoscopies.

" He did something that was unusual but some people would say it was OK but it

was normal practice 20 years ago, " Dr Jefferies said.

" It was what everybody did 20 years ago but now with our knowledge of infections

we don't do it anymore. "

But a risk of blood-borne viruses to patients had been established, Dr Jefferies

said.

" We got a panel of experts who said yes there is a very low risk this could

occur and because there is a very low risk, we must follow up, " she said.

The doctor, who trained in Australia and overseas, was " well experienced " and

not a junior doctor, Dr Jefferies said.

" He's been trained in different places, I don't know exactly where he was

trained, " she said.

" He has done some training in Australia but I don't want to get into the details

of this particular practitioner. "

The doctor has been reported to the medical board and suspended on full pay

while the investigation is underway.

WA's chief medical officer is investigating if he practised in the metropolitan

area.

Patients who were treated by the doctor will be contacted by the WACHS and

offered blood testing for the viruses.

" We are actively reviewing all patient cases and contacting those who may be

affected, " Dr Jefferies said.

" We have identified 250 patients who will receive a letter and phone call from

the WACHS Pilbara with an offer of screening and to speak with someone from the

health service. "

Dr Jefferies said the procedures were done at Port Hedland Hospital between June

1, 2008 and April 1, this year and at Nickol Bay Hospital on March 10 this year.

The doctor was practising at Derby Hospital between April 5 and 9 this year.

Other practices by the anaesthetist were being examined and an audit of the

doctor's patients who may have undergone other procedures at all three hospitals

is underway, Dr Jefferies said.

A hotline - 1800 020 080 - has also been set up for patients who have concerns.

© 2010 AAP