Testing of individuals for hepatitis C continues at Exeter Hospital and at additional sites coordinated by the Division of Public Health Services (DPHS). Testing is for individuals identified as patients treated in the Main Operating Room and the Intensive Care Unit of Exeter Hospital between April 1, 2011 and May 25, 2012.
Exeter Hospital is aware of the difficult time patients have experienced in the fallout of David Kwiatkowski’s alleged stealing of syringes filled with the anesthetic fentanyl for his own personal use and returning the syringes for use on cardiac catheterization patients. Kwiatkowski actions have led to 31 confirmed cases of hepatitis C and testing of hundreds of patients and former patients for the virus.
A court date for Kwiatkowski’s indictment is set for October 9 at 9 a.m. in Concord, N.H. after a federal judge granted a motion to delay an August 24 date by U.S. Attorney John Kacavas .
To date, 31 individuals have tested positive for the virus. Exeter Hospital is designated by the Division of Public Health Services as a testing site and is offering onsite confidential testing to identified patients on August 13, 14, and 15 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Exeter Healthcare Building.
According to Exeter Hospital officials, more than 250 patients have been tested since the state announced expansion of testing two weeks ago. The hospital has scheduled an additional 206 appointments for the coming week. Exeter Hospital has established a dedicated clinical response unit comprised of clinicians who specialize in treatment of the Hepatitis C virus.
Patients who would like Exeter Hospital to be their testing site are asked to call the hospital’s Information and Referral Center at 603-580-6124 to schedule an appointment.
The Division of Public Health Services has sent letters to approximately 3,300 patients for whom testing is recommended. The DPHS is managing the coordination and scheduling for hepatitis C testing as follows:
- August 10 and 11: Cooperative Middle School, Stratham, N.H.
- August 14 and 15: Timberlane Regional High School, Plaistow, N.H.
- August 16: Rochester Middle School, Rochester, N.H.
- August 16, 17, and 18: Manchester Health Department, Manchester, N.H.
The DPHS asks that anyone who seeks testing in these locations to contact the DPHS for an appointment at 603-271-4496 or visit www.dhhs.nh.gov for more information. Likewise, more information regarding Exeter Hospital can be found at www.Exeterhospital.com/hepatitis.
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