In a significant development, a class action lawsuit has been filed against Providence Health & Services and the Oregon Anesthesiology Group, stemming from a swath of potential HIV and infectious disease exposures. According to a Friday night report by KPTV, four patients from Clackamas County initiated the lawsuit after having undergone surgeries involving IV anesthesia at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center where the improper procedures were carried out.
Core to this case is a healthcare professional whose alleged failure to adhere to infection control protocols has set to potentially expose thousands to serious infectious diseases. The physician in question was once employed by the Oregon Anesthesiology Group (OAG) and contracted out to Providence. However, as reported by KOIN, the individual is no longer associated with OAG, nor does the group continue to contract with Providence since November 2023.
The lawsuit was brought about as many patients impacted by the possible exposure have been reaching out, troubled over their health and that of their families. Attorney Joe Sauder of Sauder Schelkopf revealed, "Since shortly after these notifications were sent out, we have been speaking with patients on a daily basis who were impacted by the potential exposure," adding their understandable distress. This concern was echoed in Sauder's statements obtained by both KPTV and KOIN.
Providence, in response to the matter, has elected not to comment on the pending litigation. Outreach was made by KGW for a statement from the Oregon Anesthesiology Group, however, as of now, no comment has been issued. It's noteworthy to consider that within a span from 2008 to 2019, 66 total outbreaks of viral hepatitis associated with healthcare settings have been listed by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, with a large majority occurring outside hospital facilities. Historical precedent suggests this legal action could potentially lead to a similar outcome to a 2018 incident in New Jersey, where a surgery center, after a class action suit regarding exposure, agreed to provide additional free blood tests for plaintiffs.
