HIV infected scope for TEE procedure, patient sues St. Vincent's Hospital

Nov 23 2009

Milvia Lopez, by her attorney MICHAEL STEWART FRANKEL, of New York City, recently filed suit, in Supreme Court, New York County, bearing Index # 112888/2009. The complaint alleges that while Ms. Lopez underwent a routine transesophageal echocardiogram ("TEE") at ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL, doctors used an HIV infected scope exposing her to HIV.

The complaint alleges that several hours after being discharged from the procedure and arriving back at her home, Ms. Lopez received a phone call from an employee of ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL in which she was asked to urgently return to the hospital. Upon returning to ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL by means of a limousine provided by the hospital, Ms. Lopez was told that non-sterile equipment had been used by ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL during her TEE procedure. It is alleged that Ms. Lopez was advised that she had been exposed to HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C due to the use of the non-sterile equipment during her procedure. This resulted in Ms. Lopez undergoing anti HIV treatment. Ms. Lopez is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

The complaint also alleges concealment of records by the hospital.