Statement by Healthplus Surgery Center Administrator Betty McCABE on Possible Patient Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

SADDLE BROOK, N.J., Dec. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Patients who received a procedure at HealthPlus Surgery Center, LLC, in Saddle Brook, NJ, between January 1, 2018 and September 7, 2018 are being asked to get a blood test for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

An investigation by the New Jersey Department of Health revealed that during this time period, deficiencies in infection control in both our sterilization/cleaning of instruments and the injection of medications may have exposed patients to blood borne pathogens (diseases in people's blood), such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

It is important to note that to date, there have not been reports of any infections or illness related to the investigation. However, HealthPlus and the New Jersey Department of Health are recommending that those patients get tested as soon as possible.

We recognize that this may be upsetting to our patients, and we are taking this matter very seriously and taking steps to assist them during this process. To that end, we have provided information about where and when they can get tested, as well as offered to pay for all medical costs associated with testing.

On September 7, 2018, the New Jersey Department of Health closed the center because some members of our staff were not following proper sterile processing procedures and failed to comply with other regulations regarding the dispensing and storage of medication, as well as infection control planning and procedures.

HealthPlus Surgery Center reopened on September 28, 2018after taking deliberate measures to:

• Improve its infection control and medication dispensing procedures
• Hire new key staff members to ensure compliance and adherence to a high quality standard, including a new director of nursing and a nationally-recognized sterile processing consultant, a quality consultant, an infection preventionist, and a Consultant Pharmacist
• Hire and train new sterile processing staff
• Clean and repair all instruments; this was performed by an outside resource under the oversight of the sterile processing consultant.

We have taken this issue very seriously. The New Jersey Department of Health's move to close the facility provided an opportunity to focus more intently on quality, safety and a consistent adherence to sound policies and procedures. As a result, we have made significant improvements to ensure our patients' safety and good health.

Today, HealthPlus is now complying with the rigorous standards and guidelines of the New Jersey Department of Health, CDC, AORN (Association of periOperative Nurses) and AAMI (Advancement of Medical Instrumentation Requirements).

And now, we are also focused on helping this select group of 3778 patients get tested quickly and expediently.

Established in 2016, HealthPlus Surgery Center is an ambulatory surgery center located in Saddle Brook, NJ. With approximately 30 employees, the Center offers the following procedures: Manipulation under Anesthesia, Orthopedics, Podiatry, Pain Management and Plastic Surgery.

SOURCE Healthplus Surgery Center