Take a grain of salt and read this

Clinic owner defends practices in ad

Tuesday, March 4, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Dr. Dipak Desai has finally spoken out, buying a full-page advertisement to offer his first words about the unprecedented hepatitis C crisis blamed on faulty practices at one of his clinics. How forthcoming was he?

Six patients at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada have been stricken by hepatitis C, and 40,000 other people treated there in the past four years are being advised to be tested for hepatitis B and C and HIV because of flawed injection practices at his clinic.

Health authorities found that nurses used syringes more than once for individual patients, allowing their blood to taint vials of anesthetics that were then used for other patients, contaminating their blood — a violation of basic disease prevention methods.

Nurses told investigators that Desai and other managers ordered these shortcuts to save money.

On Sunday, his “open letter to patients and the people of Southern Nevada” appeared as an ad in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. What follow are excerpts from the ad, and a few facts that Desai — or more likely his consultants, who probably wrote this letter — left unsaid.

“The trust we have spent years building in this community has been challenged by the discovery that some of our patients may have been exposed to blood-borne diseases at our facility.”

By saying that some of his patients “may have been” exposed, Desai seems to question the findings of health inspectors. But in fact, he did not contest the conclusions of health inspectors — supported by genetic evidence — that his clinic was the source of the outbreak. Also, he seemed to minimize the problem by referring to “some” patients. “Some” could be as few as the six patients already known, but health officials said the blatant disregard for infectious disease prevention put as many as 40,000 at risk.

“... we have carefully reviewed our procedures and implemented the changes they recommended.”

This suggests that it took some effort to correct the problems. The clinic was simply ordered to abide by the most basic of practices — ones that exist even in the Third World — by not sharing among patients vials of medicine that have been contaminated with one patient’s blood. The only change that needed to be implemented was to stop cutting corners to save money.

“I am also grateful to the health district for clarifying news reports about syringe re-use at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada. The evidence does not support that syringes or needles were ever re-used from patient to patient at the center.”

In correcting media errors he muddied the truth, because his clinic staff did commit a similar sin: When a patient needed more anesthetic, the once-used syringe was used again to draw more medicine from the vial, contaminating that vial with the back-flow of the patient’s blood. Medicine from that vial was then drawn for other patients, contaminating them.

“... without making excuses, I think it’s important for the public to know that the chances of contracting an infection at our center from 2004 through June 2007 were extremely low.”

Desai not only avoids excuses — he avoids telling the public how this took place. And his reassurance that the chances of contracting an infection are slight is cold comfort to the six people health officials say were infected with hepatitis C at his clinic, and the 40,000 others who must be tested to alleviate their fears of being infected with a deadly disease.

“Regardless, if you were a patient at our facility, I encourage you to get tested.”

This would fall under the category of “advice doctors hope to never give patients.”

Discussion: 11 comments so far…

By mwh710

3/4/08 at 6:58 a.m.

Suggest removal

One would hope that true justice will prevail, that their licenses are revoked, and a healthy prison sentence is in order..... Opps, I forgot they are "DOCTORS" they will get off without so much as a slap on the hand & be back in business under another name within a week. Sad state this country is in.
By illsaywhatsonmymind

3/4/08 at 9:30 a.m.

Suggest removal

Dr. Dipak Desai, I would say it is safe to say your medical opinions or advice are no longer wanted. And your patients WERE exposed, NOT may have been, quit playing with words and stand up and be accountable for your actions. You are a cheapskate, at least be man enough to admit it.
By northshore

3/4/08 at 12:10 p.m.

Suggest removal

The State and Federal government should file criminal charges not only against the doctor's but also the nurse's and any other individual that worked at the office/office's where these criminal occurance's have occured. Any one of the employee's could have picked up a phone and called the health dept. years ago. They can't say they were in fear of loosing there job's because of the whistile blower's law!!! I worked in the medical field for many year's and the first and foremost concern of any medical personel is cross contamination! I feel for every person who now must endure the unknown for not just the next few week's but YEARS!!!!
By bob_cirelli

3/4/08 at 12:41 p.m.

Suggest removal

A member of the Nevada legislature has suggested that the state begin to pay for testing of those possibly infected at this excuse for a clinic. The logic is that although the clinic should pay, a plan is needed now to help those who can't afford to pay. I suppport that idea, but I'd say that that request is in reality, the doctors calling in favors in exchange for their (extensive) past political contributions. The clinic should immediately be required to pay for all testing starting yesterday. Once the lawsuits begin flying, it won't be long before the malpractice insurance is exhausted, with no money to reimburse the state.

In addition, anyone who has received a letter from the county healh department, should be tested without a referral from a physician. (medical labs are not walk-in labs. You ordinarily need a signed request from a physician to get lab work done). Having the CCHD letter should be all a person needs to be tested for Hep B/C, HIV.
By bob_cirelli

3/4/08 at 12:45 p.m.

Suggest removal

I'd like to know what plans the State Board of Nursing has in regards to the RN's, nurse anesthetists, and nurse practitioners who were employed at the clinic. They violated the basic rules of patient care. For FOUR years they were just following orders, yet not one of them had the courage to report the procedures used. Even an anonymous tip could have saved thousands from disease exposure. Every nurse who participated in this scheme should be disciplined and their licenses to practice revoked. There is no excuse for their disregard for patient safety.
By tvangrove

3/4/08 at 5:06 p.m.

Suggest removal

I agree with the above, but losing a license is a little week for attempted murder. There is NO excuse for knowlingly re-using syringes. If someones attempts to poison someone, it is attempted murder. I would say that re-using potentially infected syringes would qualify for poison. Anyone who knowlingly participated (or just knew about it) should be in jail for the rest of their lives.
By JES

3/4/08 at 8 p.m.

Suggest removal

No politician will back anything here, I see where this Dr. is one of the leading contributors in this state. Sorry, but we will be stuck a second time by the state's needle. I will be tested for the rest of my life, what's that worth?? My life changed the day this broke in the news, and I really hate what direction this is going to go in, as we all know the best money givers never have to give back, that's why they give it!!
By KimRN

3/4/08 at 8:05 p.m.

Suggest removal

Keep in mind though they are still investigating and I think as of now it is more than just an allegation. Of course further evidence is needed before we should jump on the gun. I just hope that it turns out the opposite because it is not only the money but all the emotional turmoils that 40,000 patients to have endure before their tests would confirm neg/pos. Being is a nurse is sucks because you are indeed the last person would be doing anything and you would be at fault for anything would happened to any patients. So all those nurses are responsible for that. I am wondering is that true that every nurses there did the re-use syringe or med. bottle like that? I hope just only a few nurses did that.
God bless all the patients and all those employees and owners there.
By Yankee54

3/4/08 at 10:25 p.m.

Suggest removal

Does anyone know what happens regarding the status of patients of the remaining gastroenterologists of the 14 in practice at the Gastroenterology Center of Nevada such as seeing patients? They all do tests and surgical procedures at either the Endoscopy Center of Nevada or the Gastro Center of Nevada. However, they also see patients in their own offices. My doctor is one of the 14, although not mentioned in news reports.
By pat89005

3/4/08 at 11:30 p.m.

Suggest removal

After surviving breast cancer and a year later another scare that turned out be a a bad infection in the same breast, that required surgery again to
find out what it was. Also after suffering many side effects as a result of the chemo, including pulmonary embolism twice, block tear duck from a stone, just to mention a few. I am appalled at the
methods used at these clinics. I also have worked many years in the medical field, not as a licensed
medical assistant, but office trained by the doctor. The practices used at these clinics is unheard of. Not even a mother would be that neglectful with her child. I also would like to know about the other doctors that worked at these clinics. As I had a procedure done at the Gastroenterology Center of Nevada that was done by one of their employed doctors and not one of the ones listed. Also I do not feel the patients that went to them should have to pay for these tests, nor should their insurance companies. I bet Dr. Desai's fancy house could pay for a lot of these tests.
By VikingSwede

4/21/08 at 2:21 p.m.

Suggest removal

As a former patient of one of Dr. Desai's henchmen, I spent better than three weeks wondering if I was one of the more unfortunate of the Clinic's patients. I had my doubts all along as to how thoroughly they checked me two years ago, but this was way out of line. I finally had myself tested. The week-long wait for the results was even worse than the anxiety before the blood test. I figure all that anxiety, which was shared by my family and friends, is worth some financial compensation. I think the combined malpractice insurance of all of the physicians, nurses, and regulatory agencies would be a good start for building up a compensation package for all those that were physically or emotionally damaged by this incident. The liquidation of the clinics along with most of the personal assets of those in charge would be appropriate. Everyone that has had themselves tested should receive compensation.

« Previous Ten Next Ten »

Live chat: Tuesday, noon PST; Chat with Krista Creelman; Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question