A recent class action lawsuit filed by dozens of Denver patients alleges that Porter Adventist Hospital failed to properly sterilize surgical tools and equipment and caused them to develop infections.

The lawsuit, filed on June 15, 2019, by a group of more than 60 patients, claims that Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver has lapsed in their sterilization procedures and caused hundreds of severe infections in patients, including at least one that lead to death. Additionally, the group of patients claims that the hospital failed to divulge information about these infections to the appropriate regulators and agencies.

Porter Adventist Physician Malpractice and Negligence Lawsuit

According to the Denver Post, the alleged infections were reported as early as 2015, however, Porter Adventist Hospital did not publicly disclose these issues until April 2018. At this time, the hospital downplayed the problems, claiming that there had only been one instance in which an unsterilized and contaminated tool was used on a patient. According to a statement released by Dr. Patty Howell, the hospital’s chief medical officer, “We have not seen a bump in our overall totals or infection rates.”

However, according to a 2018 investigation by the state, hospital officials had knowledge of additional patient post-surgical infections due to unsterilized tools and equipment, reports Live Science. The investigation revealed that contaminated surgical instruments were used on patients at least 76 times. These instruments were contaminated by blood, hair, bone, cement, and in one case, a dead insect.

According to a local Fox News station, the report also found cases of surgical instruments clogged with previous patients’ blood, bone in surgical trays, blood on surgical drill bits, and many cases of unidentified residue. Additionally, the report stated that the hospital failed to track instances of contamination, leading to unnecessary infections and reactions. Unsterilized surgical tools and equipment may lead to infections, transmission of diseases, and other adverse health effects.

In early 2018 the Porter Adventist reportedly sent almost 6,000 letters to former patients in 2018, warning that they may have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV during their surgical procedures over the last two years. One patient who spoke with the Denver Post about the experience of receiving one of these letters stated, “It scares you to death.”

Victims who were harmed by the contaminated tools have amassed massive medical bills for hospital stays, emergency room visits, surgeries, antibiotics, and other treatments. For some of these patients, physician malpractice and negligence have lead to permanent damage and health problems.

Personal Injury Lawsuits

If you or a loved one suffered from infections or other serious health effects due to the use of unsterilized and contaminated equipment and tools during surgery, help may be available. Hiring a medical malpractice attorney to represent you in your personal injury lawsuit may make the road to justice and compensation easier. Filing a class action lawsuit regarding physician malpractice and negligence may result in financial compensation for costs including medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of income or earning capacity, and other damages.