A Never Event: Exposing the Largest Outbreak of Hepatitis C in American Healthcare History

CANCER CLINIC CAUSES WORST HEPATITIS OUTBREAK IN US HISTORY

In the small farming community of Fremont, Nebraska, townspeople eagerly welcomed an acclaimed doctor as the first full-time oncologist at their new cancer treatment centerbut the fanfare soon turned into a nightmare.
During chemotherapy treatments, 857 patients who were already waging the fights of their lives against cancer, were inexplicably exposed to the deadly, blood-borne hepatitis C virus. At least ninety-nine of them contracted the lethal illness. The horror was unprecedentedthis was the largest healthcare-transmitted outbreak of hepatitis C in American history.
A Never Eventa term used to describe a preventable medical tragedyis a searing story of recklessness, deception and betrayal. Its part mystery, part courtroom drama.
Written by a survivor of the tragedy and an attorney who represented many of the victims, A Never Event is a wake-up call to medical and legal communities nationwide.
[A] harrowing account I commend [McKnights] advocacy and efforts to raise awareness about healthcare-related infections and other potentially life-threatening illnesses.Hon. Shelley Berkley, congresswoman, Nevada
The wake-up call to doctors, nurses and to patients.Joe Hardy, MD, Nevada State Assembly
A must-read for patients. Charles Stokes, president and CEO, CDC Foundation
[McKnights] story has provided hope to people across the nation.Lawrence Sands, DO, MPH