Former Technician Charged in Exeter Hospital Outbreak Case

David Kwiatkowski, a former technician at Exeter Hospital, has been arrested and faces federal drug charges in connection to a hepatitis C outbreak at the hospital, according to a Kennebec Journal report.

 

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In May, Exeter Hospital reported a possible hepatitis C outbreak related to its cardiac catheterization lab. Since then, the hospital has been working with state and federal investigators to test patients for the infection and determine a root cause for the outbreak. To date, 31 people, including Mr. Kwiatkowski, tested positive for hepatitis C.

Mr. Kwiatkowski allegedly injected himself with the anesthetic fentanyl and refilled the syringes with saline before administering the injections to patients. He worked at Exeter's cardiac catheterization lab from April 2011 until May, when he was terminated, and tested positive for hepatitis C. A reason was not given for his termination.

Mr. Kwiatkowski was at a hospital in Massachusetts undergoing treatment at the time of his arrest. When he is fit for discharge, he will face his criminal charges in New Hampshire.

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