Surgical Tech Exposes Thousands to Hepatitis and HIV

Washington state health officials are demanding changes at Seattle’s Northwest Hospital & Medical Center after the institution failed to investigate and report possible drug diversion by a former surgical technologist who now faces federal criminal charges for drug theft, possibly exposing patients to infection.

Rocky Allen, 28, is awaiting trial after he was charged in Colorado with stealing a syringe of the powerful narcotic fentanyl at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colo. Subsequent investigations revealed Allen faced similar allegations in three other states, including Washington.

Nearly 1,500 patients who had surgery at two Washington hospitals where Allen worked in 2011 and 2012 were warned earlier this year to be tested for possible infection with hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infection because of concerns about needle-swapping.

Allen worked at Northwest Hospital during that period, but officials failed to properly report that he was fired in March 2012 for touching a syringe of Propofol, a powerful anesthetic, on an operating-room cart. He previously had been told not to linger near the anesthesia cart.

That’s according to a statement of deficiencies issued Thursday by the Washington State Department of Health. State regulations require prompt reporting when a credentialed health-care worker is suspected of committing unprofessional conduct, such as drug diversion, and no such report was filed, state health officials said in a news release.

“The investigation could not confirm conclusively whether Allen actually diverted drugs while at this hospital or if his drug-related misconduct infected patients,” health-department officials said in a statement.

The risk of potential exposure or infection is very low, however, the agency said.

Officials with Northwest, which is run by UW Medicine, said they were reviewing the state’s report and will respond.

State officials declined further comment because the health department is involved in lawsuits involving Allen, a spokeswoman said.

Northwest has 10 days to develop and submit a plan to prevent similar lapses. If the plan or its implementation falls short, the state can take enforcement action, officials said.

At least four people, including three former patients, have said they will sue Northwest for causing emotional distress and bodily harm by hiring Allen.

Allen also worked at Lakewood Surgery Center in Lakewood, Pierce County, and at Naval Hospital Bremerton. A separate state investigation at Lakewood revealed no evidence of any suspicions that would require a report, officials said.

Allen was indicted in February and charged with stealing a syringe of fentanyl and replacing it with another substance. He later tested positive for fentanyl and marijuana, federal court records show. In addition, Allen has tested positive for a bloodborne pathogen, though officials haven’t identified it.

His actions put nearly 3,000 patients at the Colorado hospital at potential risk from needle swapping and raised questions about his actions at previous jobs. Allen was also accused of or fired for diverting drugs at hospitals in California and Arizona.

Allen was dismissed from the military in part because of drug-diversion issues, state health officials said. He failed to truthfully answer questions about his criminal and disciplinary history when he applied for a Washington state surgical technologist credential in 2011.

Checks by the Washington State Patrol and of the National Practitioner Data Bank also failed to reveal any past problems, state officials said.

Allen’s Washington credential expired in 2012. He tried to reapply for a credential in February, but based on the Colorado allegations, state officials denied the request and indefinitely suspended his right to practice in Washington.