Hearing To Address Hepatitis Infections

Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City), Chair of the Senate Health Committee, today announced a public hearing on the case surrounding a Nassau County physician infecting patients with Hepatitis C by improper sterilization procedures.

The recent recommendation by the New York State Department of Health, based on findings of improper needle sterilization, that hundreds of patients of a certain physician should be tested for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV have sparked widespread alarm and questions into the adequacy of measures to ensure the quality and safety of health care in Nassau, specifically focused on infection control procedures.

"The time lags involved in all aspects of this situation...from the point of confirming actual transmission to the initial notification of a smaller group of infected patients to the just revealed recommendations to all 630 patients treated between 2000 and 2005 underscores the need for a thorough review of this process," said Senator Hannon.

The State Health Department has key resources involved in physician practice oversight: the Board for Professional Medical Conduct, the Office of Professional Medical Conduct and the State Patient Safety Center.

The Board's mission is to protect the public from medical negligence, incompetence, and illegal or unethical practices by physicians. It has been in operation for over 30 years. The Office of Professional Medical Conduct provides the staff to the Board and is charged with protecting the public through its investigative powers. It "strives to deter medical misconduct and promote and preserve the highest standards of medical practice." ( Board for Professional Conduct 2005 Annual Report)

The State Health Department also has the "Patient Safety Center," established in 2000, as a potential arm to address maximizing patient safety, improve the quality of health care by identifying systemic problems in healthcare leading to medical errors, or impairing patient safety and to reduce medical errors.

"The missions of these entities and their ability to carry out their objectives will be scrutinized," said Senator Hannon. " The public hearing process will be the opportunity to collect the facts for possible legislative steps to strengthen and restore confidence in this oversight system."

"As head of the Senate Health Committee, I have an obligation to do my part to ensure the quality of our public health system. It is unacceptable this has happened, let alone that it took so long to notify patients. I cannot change the past, but am going to work to make sure this doesn't happen again," concluded Senator Hannon.

The hearing will take place on Thursday, December 6th at 11:00 a.m. at:

Roosevelt Hall, Little Theater

Farmingdale State College, State University of New York

2350 Broadhollow Road

Farmingdale, New York 11735