James and Anne Arnold testified Monday during a civil trial against TevaParenteral Medicines and Baxter Healthcare Services, two drug companies that made and sold an anesthetic linked to a hepatitis outbreak that infected Ms. Arnold in 2007, according to a Las Vegas Review-Journal report.
Ms. Arnold contracted hepatitis C during a routine colonoscopy at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada. Ms. Arnold was one of 106 cases the Southern Nevada Health District deemed “possibly linked” to clinics run by Dipak Desai, MD.
The Arnolds and three other patients sued the drug companies, alleging the companies knew physicians and nurses would be tempted to re-use 50-milliliter vials of the anesthetic propofol in order to save money. The suit alleged the companies did nothing to remove the overly large vials from outpatient clinics despite this knowledge.
Health officials say the hepatitis C outbreak stemmed from nurse anesthetists reusing contaminated propofol vials. The case is similar to last year's trial that ended with a $500 million verdict against the companies in favor of patient Henry Chanin.
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Ms. Arnold contracted hepatitis C during a routine colonoscopy at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada. Ms. Arnold was one of 106 cases the Southern Nevada Health District deemed “possibly linked” to clinics run by Dipak Desai, MD.
The Arnolds and three other patients sued the drug companies, alleging the companies knew physicians and nurses would be tempted to re-use 50-milliliter vials of the anesthetic propofol in order to save money. The suit alleged the companies did nothing to remove the overly large vials from outpatient clinics despite this knowledge.
Health officials say the hepatitis C outbreak stemmed from nurse anesthetists reusing contaminated propofol vials. The case is similar to last year's trial that ended with a $500 million verdict against the companies in favor of patient Henry Chanin.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Play About Discovery of Anesthesia Premieres in Houston
Kaweah Delta Health Care District President Explains Rationale Behind Anesthesia Provider Switch
Neuraxial Anesthesia Provides Better Recovery Than General Anesthesia for Abdominal Hysterectomy