York Hospital Probing “Communications Breakdown” In Deadly Infection Cases

WellSpring York Hospital is investigating what it describes as a “communications breakdown” that potentially led to hundreds of open heart patients being exposed to a deadly bacteria.

The York Daily Record is reporting that York Hospital received a medical device “alert” in August 2014 about “possible issues” with a machine used to heat and cool patients during open heart surgeries. But, after the hospital received the alert, 611 people had open heart surgeries in which those machines were used.

Last month, the hospital announced that at least eight patients had been infected with nontuberculous mycobacteria, and four of them died. The hospital has sent letters to more than 1,300 patients who had open heart surgeries between October 1, 2011 and July 24, 2015 warning them of the potential exposure.

The maker of the machines, Sorin Group, has said that it sent a letter to all of its customers in July 2014 about the “importance of vigilant disinfection and maintenance procedures.” York Hospital previously acknowledged that its cleaning protocols did not “align perfectly” with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Ross Feller Casey, one of the nation’s leading personal injury and medical malpractice law firms, is investigating potential lawsuits involving the infections at York Hospital.

If you or a loved one were infected during open heart surgery at the hospital, or received a letter warning of potential exposure, you should contact one of our experienced medical malpractice lawyers immediately for a free case evaluation.