2 Fired From Saddle Brook Center That Exposed People To HIV: Rpt.

SADDLE BROOK, NJ — Two HealthPlus Surgery Center employees were fired and another one resigned after poor sterilization practices may have exposed thousands of former patients to hepatitis and HIV, NorthJersey.com reported.

Two employees who are responsible for sterilizing medical instruments were fired for "performance-related issues," Mark Manigan, an attorney representing the center said in the report.

The center's nursing director resigned a day before the New Jersey Department of Health closed the facility for three weeks while investigating a complaint filed against it, according to the report.

(See related: NJ Health Center May Have Exposed People To HIV: Officials)

The center reopened when new staff was hired and trained, improved the way it dispensed medicine and cleaned and repaired all instruments.

People who had a procedure there between January and Sept. 7 have been notified that they may have been exposed to infections, according to the DOH.

Although the risk of infection is low, out of an abundance of caution, HealthPlus and the New Jersey Department of Health recommend patients get blood tests for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

The Department is not aware of any illness as a result of the infection control issues.

HealthPlus is paying for affected patients to be tested. Affected patients call 1-888-507-0578 during weekdays.

For more information about the firings and resignation, read the NorthJersey.com report.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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