A massive sterilization breach at Porter Hospital could have impacted an unknown number of patients. The investigation centers around people who had orthopedic or spine surgery over an 18-month period and could be at risk for Hepatitis B or HIV.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is investigating what it calls a “significant health breach” at Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver.
Dr. Larry Wolk with the health department told CBS4 that the organization is working with the hospital to notify people who had orthopedic or spine surgery there between July 21, 2016 and Feb. 20, 2018.
The infection control breach may have put some orthopedic or spine surgery patients at risk for surgical site infections or for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV.
Wolk said in a statement, “The process for cleaning surgical instruments following orthopedic and spine surgeries was found to be inadequate, which may have compromised the sterilization of the instruments.”
When CBS4’s Jamie Leary asked how wide spread the health breach is, a health department spokesperson said it was “significant.” No specific numbers of patients at risk was provided.
Porter Hospital near Logan and Downing in Denver is operated by Centura Health.
