Nevada: Vegas Hepatitis C Outbreak Spurs New Laws

New state laws enacted in the aftermath of a Las Vegas clinic-based hepatitis C outbreak should lessen the risk of a repeat, officials say. More than 50,000 patients were notified last year that they should be screened for blood-borne infections due to improper injection practices tied to two now-shuttered outpatient endoscopy centers. Nine patients contracted hepatitis C, and more than 100 other cases may be linked to the practices.

One new law requires ambulatory surgical centers to be subject to unannounced inspections annually rather than every three to six years. "It is much easier to keep things in line," said Assembly member Joe Hardy (R-Boulder City). "It shows we won't tolerate bad medicine." A nurse will now accompany inspection teams to observe infection controls to "assist in immediate corrections," said Larry Matheis, head of the Nevada State Medical Association. "This may become a new national model."

Another law offers more protections for medical whistle-blowers. Some nurses at the endoscopy clinics were afraid to cooperate in the outbreak case, fearing they would lose their jobs, said Debra Scott, executive director of the Nevada State Board of Nursing. Hardy said the law "will help both nurses and doctors and other medical personnel who want to do the right thing."

A third law requires the governor to determine whether a public or health emergency needs a coordinated response by a team of state officials. A fourth allows the State Health Division to issue a cease-and-desist order to any facility where patient safety may be at risk. Another new law affirms that a health care professional's license can be suspended if he or she owns a facility under investigation or disciplined for misconduct.

Back to other news for June 2009