Health officials in Arizona, California, Colorado and Washington have warned thousands of patients they were possibly infected with HIV, and hepatitis B and C after a surgical tech allegedly swapped syringes used in surgery.
At least six hospitals are warning some 5,000 patients to get testing for the disease, but said the chances of contracting the illnesses were low. The announcement comes after Rocky Allen, 28, was indicted on charges of tampering with a consumer product and obtaining a controlled substance by deceit. He was accused of swapping syringes containing a powerful painkiller with other syringes.
Northwest Hospital & Medical Center in Seattle, among the six hospitals involved, recommended some 1,340 patients be tested for the diseases "out of an abundance of caution." Lakewood Surgery Center in Washington state said 135 patients were being contacted for possible exposure.