Tag: Hepatitis C

Officials Investigate Possible Hepatitis Exposure in Beckley

  The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is urging thousands of patients to get tested after possible hepatitis exposure at a Raleigh County heart clinic.

Multiple media outlets report that a letter issued by the department in Charleston says several cases of viral hepatitis appear to be associated with a cardiac stress test performed at Beckley’s Raleigh Heart Clinic.

The DHHR says all patients who had the stress test at the clinic between March 1, 2012, and March 27, 2015 were sent a copy of the letter.

As a precaution, the department is recommending that all these patients get tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

Patients and healthcare providers who have questions may call the Bureau for Public Health information line.

Officials are investigating.

Doctor at W.Va. Pain Clinic had Texas License Revoked

  The operator of a West Virginia pain management clinic where an investigation found needles were being reused on patients had his medical license revoked in Texas a decade ago.

Health officials in Ohio and West Virginia advised patients of Valley Pain Management in McMechen on Monday to be tested for blood-borne infectious diseases after an investigation found needles and syringes were reused to administer pain medications and saline solutions.

The clinic is operated by Dr. Roland Chalifoux Jr. His attorney, Elgine McArdle of Wheeling, calls the investigation a “fishing expedition.”

In 2004, the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners revoked Chalifoux’s license for violating standards of care in the treatment of three patients, one of whom died.

The West Virginia Board of Osteopathy granted him a license in 2005.

DHHR Warns of Possible HIV Exposure at Northern Panhandle Pain Clinic

Health officials are advising patients of a clinic in in the northern panhandle to be tested for some infectious diseases after an investigation discovered questionable practices.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is urging patients who had an injection procedure at Valley Pain Management in McMechen, West Virginia, between the time the clinic opened in 2010 through November 1, 2013, to talk to their primary care provider about being testing for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. 

The DHHR reports that an investigation into the clinic found practitioners re-used needles and syringes to enter vials and saline bags used for more than one patient.

Officials say they haven’t been able to determine if any procedures resulted in illness, but exposure to infection is possible.

The DHHR says the clinic has not cooperated with them by suppling a patient list. DHHR has issued an administrative subpoena in an effort to obtain the clinic’s patient list and is prepared to take additional legal action if the clinic does not comply with the subpoena. 

Testing is available for Valley Pain Management patients at these local health departments until 10/21/14.  

To make an appointment for testing, please call:

  • Hancock County Health Department                         (304) 564-3343
  • Brooke County Health Department                            (304) 737-3665
  • Wheeling – Ohio Health Department                          (304) 234-3682
  • Marshall County Health Department                          (304) 845-7840
  • Wetzel – Tyler Health Department                              (304) 337-2001
  • Ohio residents should call 1-844-593-5184 for additional information.
  • Pennsylvania residents should call 877-PA HEALTH (877-724-3258) to make arrangements for testing.
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