The investigation of the infection control lapses at the Oklahoma practices of oral surgeon W. Scott Harrington, DMD, could extend well into 2014 and end in criminal charges.
That's according to an article by the Associated Press, which detailed how patients continue to come forward nearly seven months after Dr. Harrington's two practices were closed, noted Oklahoma Board of Dentistry Executive Director Susan Rogers. However, the state has not begun depositions of possible witnesses.
Several civil lawsuits have been filed in the meantime.
On March 28, public health officials began notifying 7,000 of Dr. Harrington's patients that they may have been exposed to blood-borne viruses at his Tulsa and Owasso offices and should be tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. According to Oklahoma health officials, 77 of Dr. Harrington's patients have tested positive for hepatitis C, five former patients have tested positive for hepatitis B, and four have tested positive for HIV.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health and Tulsa Health Department have officially connected one case of hepatitis C to Dr. Harrington's practice.
Dr. Harrington is scheduled to appear before the dental board on January 17, 2014, in Oklahoma City.
