exeter hospital

Kwiatkowski Pleads Not Guilty In Hep C Case

Todd Bookman — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:39:22 +0000

The former Exeter Hospital employee at the center of a Hepatitis C outbreak pleaded ‘not-guilty’ in Federal court today.

Prosecutor: Still More Work To Do In Hep C Case

Todd Bookman — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:32:37 +0000

Federal prosecutors say it could take a year or more before a trial in the Hepatitis C outbreak case begins. On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted 33-year old David Kwiatkowski on 14 charges, including tampering with a consumer product.

The former Exeter Hospital employee is accused of stealing syringes of a powerful pain medication, injecting himself, and then reusing the needles on patients.

U.S. Attorney John Kacavas says the FBI and members of law enforcement continue to investigate the case.

Indictment Arrives For Hepatitis C Suspect

Todd Bookman — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:24:45 +0000

A former hospital employee at the center of a Hepatitis C outbreak in New Hampshire is facing new federal charges.

Patient Privacy Versus Public Health In Court Hearing

Todd Bookman — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 21:52:37 +0000

A judge heard arguments today in a case involving patient medical records at Exeter Hospital. At issue is just how much access the state needs to investigate an outbreak of Hepatitis C.

Back in August, Exeter Hospital filed a protective order arguing the state’s broad request for patient records violates both state and federal privacy laws.

In Merrimack Superior court, lawyers for the State countered, saying they have a duty to investigate exactly what happened inside the hospital, and that means they need complete access.

Exeter Hospital Calls State Request a 'Government Overreach'

Todd Bookman — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 22:21:16 +0000

In a press conference at Exeter Hospital today, lawyers called the state’s request for broad access to medical records a government overreach. The state continues to investigate the Hepatitis C outbreak.

In August, Exeter Hospital filed a protective order in Merrimack Superior Court. It’s seeking to block the state’s request for broad access to patient medical records.

State Officials Push For Medical Records Release Following Exeter Hospital Outbreak

Todd Bookman — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 21:25:36 +0000

State officials investigating the outbreak of Hepatitis C at Exeter Hospital continue pressing for access to patient medical records.

In August, the hospital went to court seeking a protective order, arguing that the Division of Public Health Services’ broad request for records violates both state and federal privacy laws.

Today, the state filed its response in Merrimack Superior Court. It says that healthcare providers are required to share information during a public health investigation.

Privacy Concerns Enter Exeter Hospital Investigation

Todd Bookman — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:55:30 +0000

Patient privacy has become the latest front in the Hepatitis C outbreak at Exeter Hospital.

As part of their ongoing investigation, the State’s Division of Public Health is seeking access to the private health records of Exeter patients. But the Hospital says the request violates privacy laws, and is asking the courts to intervene.

Testing Continues as Hepatitis C Outbreak Grows

Todd Bookman — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 19:30:16 +0000

More than 1,200 patients potentially exposed to the outbreak of Hepatitis C at Exeter Hospital were tested at public clinics last week, according to officials at Health and Human Services.

Anyone who received treatment in Exeter’s intensive care unit or operating rooms between April, 2011 and May of this year has been asked to get tested.

Former employee David Kwiatkowski is accused of reusing syringes of pain medication at the hospital during that time period.

So far, 32 patients have tested positive for matching strains of the blood-borne virus.

New Hep C Case Has Investigators Casting Wider Net

Ryan Lessard — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:15:15 +0000

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday the confirmation of another patient infected with Hepatitis C while receiving treatment at Exeter Hospital.

This new case, confirmed by the Department of Public Health Services, brings the total number of infected up to 33. That includes David Kwiatkowski, the former hospital employee charged with stealing drugs and refilling the used syringes with saline solution. They were later reused on patients.

Exeter Hospital Provides an Extra Day of Hep C Testing

Ryan Lessard — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:14:57 +0000

Exeter Hospital is expanding its testing clinics to a third day, in its effort to explore the scope of the Hepatitis C outbreak.

The hospital where the Hepatitis C outbreak began is now offering testing from seven in the morning to six at night, Monday and Tuesday, and from seven to noon on Wednesday. The state is also offering free clinics through August eighteenth.

The state declared a public health incident ahead of the clinics as more than three thousand people were sent letters recommending they get tested.

DHHS Revises Testing Plan for Hepatitis C Outbreak

Sam Evans-Brown — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:07:47 +0000

The Department of Health and Human Services has revised its plan for testing patients who were exposed to the Hepatitis C outbreak at Exeter Hospital.

Outbreak Patients Could Receive Experimental Hepatitis C Treatment

Brady Carlson — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:16:14 +0000

The investigation continues into the Hepatitis C outbreak at Exeter Hospital is moving to several other states. This week officials at a hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York, are testing about 25 patients who underwent procedures at the time technician David Kwiatowski worked there.

6,000 More Need Testing in Hepatitis C Outbreak

Todd Bookman — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 20:47:47 +0000

Public Health officials have announced that approximately 6,000 more patients of Exeter Hospital need to be tested for Hepatitis C. Anyone who had inpatient surgery or treatment in the ICU between April, 2011 and May, 2012 are encouraged to attend a testing clinic at Exeter High School this weekend.

Last week, 32-year old David Kwiatkowski was charged with stealing syringes of pain medication before reusing them on patients in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, where we has employed as a medical technician.

Investigators Look Into Hepatitis C Suspect's Work History, Behavior

Brady Carlson and Todd Bookman — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:37:27 +0000

More details are emerging today about the former Exeter Hospital employee who has been charged in connection with the Hepatitis C outbreak. Thirty patients have tested positive for a strain of the virus that matches that of 32-year old David Kwiatowski. He’s been accused of stealing syringes of pain medication, injecting himself and then returning the needles. He’s facing federal charges of tampering and acquiring a controlled substance by fraud.

U.S. Attorney Discusses Charges Filed in Hepatitis C Outbreak Investigation

Brady Carlson — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 21:49:30 +0000

The U.S. Attorney’s office today announced the first criminal charges in connection with the Hepatitis C outbreak at Exeter Hospital.