Nearly 4,000 Possibly Exposed to Hepatitis and HIV at HealthPlus

HealthPlus, a Saddle Brook, NJ surgery center, wants recent patients to know those in the facility between January 1 and September 7 of 2018 may have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and/or HIV.  Anyone who has received correspondence from HealthPlus or was a patient in the facility in the time window designated above might be entitled to considerable financial compensation.  Even those who stayed in the facility and test negative for the diseases noted above might be eligible for financial compensation.

HealthPlus Surgery Center Should be Penalized for Exposing Patients to Deadly Pathogens

The New Jersey Department of Health investigated and subsequently shut down the surgical facility for the majority of December.  The Department determined the surgery center employees failed to adhere to required procedures for sterilization.  Staff members did not properly clean medical instruments, subjecting patients to diseases that made their way to new hosts by way of the blood.  These diseases include HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.  The facility reopened its doors toward the end of September following a thorough cleaning performed by a third-party.  New staff members were added, instruments were repaired and procedures for medication dispensation and infection control have been significantly improved.

The Damage as of Today

At the moment, there are no reports of infections.  However, those who were at the surgery center between January 1 and September 7 should visit with a doctor and undergo a blood test.  All in all, the total number of people subjected to risk for exposure to the diseases noted above is just under 4,000.

What to do if You Received a Letter From HealthPlus

Those who have received correspondence from HealthPlus stating there might have been exposure to hepatitis B or C and/or HIV, should schedule a blood test as soon as possible.  Thankfully, HealthPlus is conducting such blood tests at no cost.  If the blood test turns out to be positive for any of the diseases listed above or positive for an infection acquired at the hospital, there is solid legal footing for a successful medical malpractice lawsuit.  This lawsuit paves the way for significant financial compensation to cover the cost of related expenses ranging from medication to durable medical equipment, pain, suffering, lost wages, etc.

Important Information About HIV

HIV is an acronym that stands for human immunodeficiency virus.  HIV is transmitted by way of blood and sexual contact.  It is also possible to transmit infection by way of breast milk.  Above all, contaminated needles are one of the easiest ways to contract HIV.  This disease can be detected as soon as 10 days following its transmission.  Therefore, those who visited the HealthPlus Surgery Center between the first of January and September can now be tested for HIV with flawless accuracy.

Unfortunately, HIV is likely to become acquired immune deficiency syndrome, also known as AIDS.  It is possible for a strategic course of treatment and medication to mitigate the infection’s progression through a suppression of the virus in the cells.  However, there is no complete cure for AIDS or HIV.

A Look at Hepatitis

Hepatitis is best defined as the inflammation of the liver.  Each version of this disease noted above, B and C, can be transmitted by way of contact with the blood and/or bodily fluids.  It is also possible for a pregnant woman to transmit HIV to her offspring at birth.  Thankfully, there is a vaccine for hepatitis B.  Those who are not vaccinated will likely find the symptoms of the disease manifest in a couple weeks.  Symptoms range from dark urine to jaundice and illness similar to the flu.  If hepatitis is not treated, the patient is likely to end up with cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure or cancer of the liver.

In some cases, it takes upwards of several years for hepatitis C to manifest.  No vaccine exists to treat hepatitis C.  The symptoms of this disease are exactly the same as those of hepatitis B.  The unfortunate outcomes of hepatitis C also include cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.  However, hepatitis C is more likely to turn into a chronic condition.  If hepatitis C is not treated, it has the potential to prove fatal.

If you or someone you know has visited this facility or think they may have been part of this incident, please contact Richard Schibell immediately. Our legal team will work tirelessly to ensure you get what you deserve and are entitled to!

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