Dear AuntMinnie Member,
In a story that's still developing, federal authorities in New Hampshire have charged a traveling technologist who worked in cardiac cath labs with infecting patients with hepatitis C after he allegedly stole fentanyl syringes and replaced the used needles.
David Kwiatkowski was charged on July 19 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire with allegedly taking fentanyl from the cardiac cath lab at Exeter Hospital, injecting himself with the drug, and then replacing the drug in the syringe with another liquid. At least 30 patients have become infected with the same strain of hepatitis C that Kwiatkowski has, according to the FBI.
What's more, the incident has health authorities in more than a half-dozen states where Kwiatkowski worked looking at whether he may have caused hepatitis C infections at their hospitals as well. Federal health authorities such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are helping to track down patients who may have been infected. Learn more by clicking here.
The case is disturbingly similar to that of a Florida technologist, who in May pleaded guilty to infecting patients with hepatitis C after diverting drugs meant to be used in the cardiac catheterization lab at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. But the Kwiatkowski case could have much broader implications -- and could even lead to regulatory action if federal agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration decide that hospitals aren't keeping close enough tabs on their drug supplies.
Minnies now open for nominations
On the lighter side, we've now opened the Minnies -- AuntMinnie.com's annual event recognizing excellence in radiology -- to your nominations.
Held every year for the past 13 years, the Minnies give you the chance to acknowledge the achievements of your colleagues. Categories range from Most Influential Radiology Researcher to Best New Radiology Device. You can view the list of last year's winners by clicking here.
Your nominations will be used to assemble a list of candidates to be voted on by our expert panel in two rounds of voting over the next several months, with the winners announced prior to this year's RSNA meeting in Chicago.
The Minnies give you a great opportunity to make your voice known in recognizing the researchers, companies, educators, and institutions that make medical imaging stand out. To submit your nominations, click here, or go to minnies.auntminnie.com.
