Nearly 450 patients at Massachusetts hospital may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis

Exposure Risk: Nearly 450 patients at Salem Hospital in Massachusetts were potentially exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

Cause of Exposure: The exposure was linked to improper practices during endoscopy procedures over a two-year period.

Hospital's Response: Upon discovery, the hospital corrected the issue, notified its quality and infection control teams, and has been working with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Patient Notification and Support: Affected patients were notified and offered free screening and support, with an emphasis that the risk of infection is extremely small.

No Reported Infections: As of the time of the report, there were no infections resulting from this incident, and the hospital, along with its parent company Mass Brigham, has issued an apology and reaffirmed their commitment to patient safety and high-quality healthcare.