In January, St. Charles Medical Center-Bend admitted that it had failed to properly disinfect a colonoscope, which was later used during colonoscopy procedures involving 18 patients. A patient, only referred to as “Jane Doe,” sued the hospital for approximately $270,000 in emotional damages and future medical bills.
Last week, St. Charles Health System moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing the dirty colonoscope “did not pierce her skin as a needle may” and it was not “offensive in the way sexual abuse is,” according to court documents.
Circuit Court Judge Wells Ashby tossed out St. Charles Health System’s appeal, and a jury trial has been scheduled for December.
Read the news report about St. Charles Health System’s lawsuit.
Read other coverage about colonoscope disinfection:
– Improperly Disinfected Endoscopes Used on Patients at Louisiana Hospital
– Selection of Disinfection or Sterilization
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