TULSA, OK \u2013 [April 18, 2013, 12:15 p.m. CST] \u2013\u00a0\u00a0The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and Tulsa Health Department (THD) today announced the first round of results related to testing of patients of the W. Scott Harrington dental surgical practice in Tulsa. On March 28, public health officials advised they were notifying current and former patients of the practice that they may have been exposed to blood-borne viruses at Harrington\u2019s Tulsa and Owasso offices. Health officials recommended these patients have their blood drawn for testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infection at free screening clinics established at the Tulsa Health Department, Oklahoma City-County Health Department and other county health departments in the state. The Oklahoma State Department of Health\u2019s Public Health Laboratory is providing the laboratory analysis on specimens collected at these sites. The lab has completed testing for 3,122 persons.<\/p>\n
The ongoing investigation has so far identified 57 individuals who tested positive for hepatitis C, and 3 individuals who tested positive for hepatitis B. Positive results have been reported for HIV, but OSDH Data Security Policy regarding HIV disclosure prohibits public reporting of numbers less than 3.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand these first reported test results may be of concern,\u201d said THD Director Dr. Bruce Dart. \u201cThorough investigations are routinely conducted upon notification of a positive report for these infections. This response will be handled in the same manner, as disease investigation is a core public health service and staff are well trained to conduct this type of response.\u201d<\/p>\n
The OSDH and THD have begun notifying persons who participated in the screening of their test results. 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.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cThis is a complex investigation,\u201d emphasized State Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley. \u201cThe next phase will include more in-depth interviews of persons who test positive to determine the likelihood that their exposure is associated with their dental surgical procedure at the Harrington practice. We will certainly continue to keep the public informed as we learn more.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Based on current Oklahoma disease prevalence data for hepatitis B and C and HIV, health officials recognize some of the positive screening tests are likely a result of infection exposure not related to dental procedures at the Harrington practice. From the most recent data available, an estimated 4,944 persons are living with HIV\/AIDS in Oklahoma and as many as 68,000 Oklahomans may be infected with hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States and is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality. \u00a0Hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver that can lead to chronic health issues. Many of the approximately three to four million persons living with hepatitis C in the U.S. are unaware they are infected and do not receive care or treatment. Hepatitis B, a contagious liver disease, is spread when blood, semen or other body fluid infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person not infected.<\/p>\n
Tests used to identify hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV are based on the body\u2019s immune response to infection. Persons infected will begin to test positive within weeks with almost all testing positive within six months of exposure. Persons who are tested prior to six months after exposure and are found to be negative should be tested again at six months after exposure to assure they are negative.<\/p>\n
To date, 3,235* 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.<\/p>\n
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Screening Appointments and Patient Information Hotline
\nIn 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. \u00a0Walk-ins will still be accepted, however appointments are recommended in order to minimize wait times.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anyone who was a patient at Dr. W. Scott Harrington\u2019s dental practice should contact the Patient Information hotline (918)595-4500 with any questions. \u00a0English- and Spanish-speaking public health representatives will be available during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
Further information on the screenings and results from this public health response will be included in Situation Updates on our website.\u00a0<\/p>\n
*A press release issued on 4\/16\/13 mistakenly stated that 3,260 people have been tested. The correct number is 3,235.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TULSA, OK \u2013 [April 18, 2013, 12:15 p.m. CST] \u2013\u00a0\u00a0The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and Tulsa Health Department (THD) today announced the first round of results related to testing of patients of the W. Scott Harrington dental surgical practice in Tulsa. On March 28, public health officials advised they were notifying current and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8469","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n