TULSA, OK – [May 30, 2013, 10:20 a.m. CST] – As testing continues for patients of W. Scott Harrington’s dental surgical practice, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and Tulsa Health Department (THD) have a seventh round of results to report.
Of those patients of the Harrington dental surgical practice who have been tested thus far, only one new case of hepatitis C was confirmed since the last Situaion Update. Thus, 71 patients have tested positive for hepatitis C, five for hepatitis B and three for HIV.
Those persons whose tests are positive are being personally contacted and counseled about information specific to the disease for which the test was positive, and they will be directed to resources for appropriate care and follow up. If warranted, testing will be recommended for a spouse or partner.
To date, 3,908 people have visited county health departments throughout the state to have their blood drawn for testing as part of this public health response. An unknown number of persons have sought testing through their private health care provider. The Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory has completed testing for 4,011 persons as of 5:00 p.m. Wednesday. The discrepancy is due to the lab also testing people from other states, private physicians and local county health departments.
Screening Appointments and Patient Information Hotline
In the Tulsa metropolitan area, screening continues weekdays at the North Regional Health and Wellness Center, 5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Patients are advised to call the North Regional Health and Wellness Center directly at (918)595-4380 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will still be accepted, however appointments are recommended in order to minimize wait times.
Anyone who was a patient at Dr. W. Scott Harrington’s dental practice should contact the Patient Information hotline (918)595-4500 with any questions. English- and Spanish-speaking public health representatives will be available during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Current and former patients of the Harrington practice who live elsewhere in the state should contact their local county health department to make an appointment to have their blood drawn for testing.
Further information on the screenings and results from this public health response will be included in Situation Updates on our website.
