Number of screening patients/appointments brought up to date
Mega Doctor News
El Paso, Texas – The City of El Paso Department of public health continues its investigation into the Tuberculosis exposure that occurred at a local hospital. In order to keep the community updated on the progress of the TB Hospital Event and investigations, the following information has been compiled and is available for public dissemination:
Total 2-1-1 calls from 9/19/2014 – 9/23/2014: 1336
Appointments scheduled as of 9/23/14: 495
Patients Screened as of 9/23/2014: 118
Patients Positive as of 9/23/2014: N/A
Please also note that a third phone number is now available for use for those parents who receive a letter notifying them of their child having been exposed to TB. These parents may call (915) 771-1228 in order to schedule an appointment to have their child screened. Residents outside of Texas or outside of the country may call 1-877-541-7905 and residents in El Paso may still dial 2-1-1.
Background
El Paso, Texas – The City of El Paso Department of Public Health has received a list of approximately 45 more babies who have been exposed to TB at Providence Memorial Hospital. The exposure was in a nursery unit via a healthcare worker who was confirmed as an active TB case. As with any TB investigation the list of exposures/possible exposures can fluctuate over time. These parents are receiving the same certified mail and/or telephone notification as the 706 who were on the original list. They are also being asked to call 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905 in order to have their child screened.
El Paso, Texas – The City of El Paso Department of Public Health (DPH) has determined that more than 700 patients and more than 40 employees were exposed to a hospital employee with an active case of Tuberculosis (TB) in the post-partum and newborn nursery area of Providence Memorial Hospital (PMH). This exposure took place between September 2013 and August 2014. The DPH is working closely with the staff of PMH and has carefully reviewed employment and medical records to determine exactly which infants and employees were exposed. The families of each patient are being contacted via telephone and certified letter with proactive screening instructions.
The mission of the Department of Public Health is to provide research and evaluation, prevention, intervention, and mobilization services to the people of El Paso so they can be healthy, productive, safe and secure. For more information on the programs and services offered by the Department of Public Health, visit EPHealth.com or dial 2-1-1.
