Salem Hospital IV Error May Have Exposed Hundreds To HIV, Hepatitis

SALEM, MA — More than 400 patients may have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis over two years at Salem Hospital because of improperly followed IV protocols.

Hospital officials confirmed to Patch that its IV procedures were "not consistent with best practices" during the span and that the patients who are at risk for exposure have since been informed of the error and offered free screenings for HIV and hepatitis.

Officials said the procedure error was corrected when it was discovered earlier this year and that the chance for an infection is "extremely small."

No actual infections have been detected, officials said.

"After a comprehensive review, including feedback from public health officials at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, we have determined that the infection risk to patients from this event is extremely small," officials said in a statement to Patch. "Salem Hospital has notified all potentially impacted patients, set up a clinician-staffed hotline to answer questions, and we are providing them with free screening and any necessary support. There is no evidence to date of any infections resulting from this incident.

"The safety of our patients is our highest priority and we have undertaken multiple corrective actions in response to this event."

Salem Hospital is a part of the Mass General Brigham system.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)