Source of hepatitis C at second clinic remains unknown

By Mary Manning

Thursday, June 5, 2008 | 10:05 a.m.

The Southern Nevada Health Division has concluded its investigation into an acute case of hepatitis C linked with the Desert Shadow Endoscopy Center at 4725 Burnham Ave., but investigators cannot determine how the disease was transmitted, Dr. Lawrence Sands, chief health officer for the health district, said today.

Health investigators used information and records that were available after staff at the clinic refused to cooperate.

The health district estimates that more than 13,000 patients were treated at the Desert Shadow clinic, the second ambulatory center involved in a cluster of hepatitis C cases that launched the largest public health notification in the nation in February.

Health officials have notified more than 53,000 former patients who underwent procedures at the two clinics, Sands said.

"It is unfortunate we are not able at this time to conclusively determine the route of disease transmission that lead to this patient's infection," Sands said.

Health inspectors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and local health districts observed unsafe practices as anesthesia was injected at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada where six cases of acute hepatitis C were diagnosed.

A clinic staff person saw a single-use vial of propofol reused at the Desert Shadow clinic during an inspection in January. Logs at the clinic documented that bottles of anesthesia were reused on several patients. The clinic, which opened two years ago, was closed before the single case of acute hepatitis C was identified, Sands said.

A patient treated at the Burnham clinic tested negative for hepatitis C days before undergoing a procedure at Desert Shadow and later developed an acute infection. More than 80 cases have been linked to the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada at 700 Shadow Lane.

The health district announced that a hepatitis C exposure registry to assist in identifying patients who had procedures at these clinics, including those who are infected with hepatitis C virus. The registry will also include sections allowing patients to report on possible hepatitis B or HIV infections.

The health district will mail enrollment forms to patients of both clinics, encouraging them to register. Registry information and enrollment forms are available on the health district's website.

The helpline number is (702) 759-4636 where forms may also be requested.