N.Y., Texas fear hep-C cases from same tech, Kristen Diane Parker, in Denver

By Greg Griffin
The Denver Post
Posted: 07/15/2009

Health officials in New York and Texas are investigating whether a hospital worker suspected of exposing Colorado patients to hepatitis C did the same in those states.

Rose Medical Center in Denver and Audubon Surgery Center in Colorado Springs, where Kristen Diane Parker worked, have notified 5,700 patients they may have been exposed to the virus.

Ten have tested positive so far. Parker, who has hep-C, has admitted to stealing syringes filled with the painkiller fentanyl and replacing them with her used syringes containing saline.

The New York Health Department said no patient is known to have contracted hepatitis C at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y. But information has surfaced suggesting that "Parker may have engaged in similar conduct" when she worked there from October 2007 to February 2008.

Northern Westchester Hospital sent letters to 2,800 patients Wednesday informing them that they may have been exposed to hepatitis C, state health officials said.

Parker told police she believes she became infected while doing heroin between July and September 2008.

Parker worked at Christus St. John Hospital outside Houston from May 2005 to October 2006, Christus Health spokeswoman Christie Fortune said. The Texas Department of State Health Services has contacted the hospital about Parker and is gathering information, she said.