Health officials in New York and Texas are investigating whether a hospital worker suspected of exposing Colorado patients to hepatitis C did the same in those states.
Rose Medical Center in Denver and Audubon Surgery Center in Colorado Springs, where Kristen Diane Parker worked, have notified 5,700 patients they may have been exposed to the virus. Ten have tested positive so far. Parker has admitted to stealing syringes filled with the painkiller fentanyl and replacing them with her dirty needles.
The New York health department said no patient is known to have contracted hepatitis C at Northern Westchester Hospital. But information has surfaced suggesting Parker may have engaged in similar conduct when she worked there from October 2007 to February 2008.
Northern Westchester Hospital sent letters to 2,800 patients Wednesday, state health officials said.
Parker told police she believes she got infected while taking heroin between July and September 2008.
Parker worked at Christus St. John Hospital outside Houston from May 2005 to October 2006, Christus Health spokeswoman Christie Fortune said. The Texas health department has contacted the hospital about Parker and is gathering information.
Greg Griffin, The Denver Post
