As Written by Pam Cross at WCVB…
A former patient at Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire said he was “dumbfounded” to learn he had hepatis C apparently contracted at the hospital.
The 49-year-old Rockingham County man, who is referred to as John Doe said he was a patient at the hospital in August 2011 for a heart condition.
“I was dumbfounded, the hospital wasn’t answering any questions. I was getting healthier with my heart and all of a sudden bang,” he said.
When his positive blood test was returned he said, “I was pretty upset, depressed like there was no tomorrow. What do you tell your wife? Should she be tested? I don’t know what is next.”
The man appeared at the office of his attorney in Concord, N.H. John Doe is one of 44 people preparing a class action lawsuit against Exeter Hospital.
New Hampshire state health officials say 20 people have been diagnosed with hepatitis C. They were all patients at the Cardiac Cath lab at Exeter Hospital. The state is now asking all patients at that lab from Oct. 1, 2010, to May 25, 2012, to be tested. It could involved testing 1,000 to 1,300 people.
The hospital has acknowledged one of their staff people tested positive for hepatitis C. The state of New Hampshire believes the source of infection was a drug abuser who stole patient medication. The syringes were later used on patients, spreading the virus.
The 49-year old husband, father and grandfather, says he learned he was positive last week. He says, “I worked through all the stages, I was depressed, upset and now I am just pissed.”