Senate Health Committee Holds Public Hearing Investigating The Case Of A Long Island Anesthesiologist Reusing Syringes
State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (8th Senate District), a member of the State Senate’s Health Committee, recently participated in a public hearing investigating why some patients who had potentially been exposed to life-threatening infections by a Long Island Anesthesiologist who reused syringes had to wait several years before being notified that they were at-risk.
"The bottom line of this case is that the system failed. It is unconscionable to think that individuals who could have contracted potentially deadly infections like hepatitis B and C and HIV had to wait several years to learn that they are at-risk," said Senator Fuschillo. "Getting patients quick access to information in these cases is quite literally a life and death matter, and I am hopeful that this hearing will help make the system more proactive instead of reactive in protecting the public’s health."
The hearing was held in response to the case of a Long Island Anesthesiologist who reused syringes on his patients, putting them at risk to contract hepatitis B and C, as well as HIV. Reports show that at least one patient contracted hepatitis C as a result of the doctor’s practices. However, many of the patients who were at-risk had to wait several years before being notified by the Department of Health.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines, Nassau Deputy County Executive Dr. Mary Curtis, Gerry Conway from the Medical Society of the State of New York, Art Levin from the Center for Medical Consumers and Ilene Corina from PULSE all testified at the hearing.
Senator Fuschillo participated in the hearing along with fellow State Senator Kemp Hannon (6th Senate District), Chairman of the Senate Health Committee, and Assemblyman David McDonough (19th Assembly District), a member of the Assembly’s Health Committee.
Photo caption: Senator Fuschillo questions a witness during the Senate Health Committee Public Hearing Investigating the case of a Long Island anethesiologist who put patients at risk by reusing syringes.
CLICK HERE to read the Newsday story.
TO SEND AN EMAIL TO SENATOR FUSCHILLO, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE REGULAR UPDATES FROM SENATOR FUSCHILLO, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
