This guy is evil!

liver411

CDC 8-20-12

UNITED STATES:   "Hepatitis C Outbreak Could Boost Regulation Bill"
Associated Press     (08.16.12):: Holly Ramer

The recent case of a medical technologist accused of infecting patients
with hepatitis C at a New Hampshire hospital could build support for the
creation of consistent national standards for such workers, advocates say.
Arrested in July, cardiovascular technologist David Kwiatkowski is accused
of a drug-diversion scheme that contaminated syringes used on patients at
Exeter Hospital. Before his arrest, Kwiatkowski worked at 18 hospitals in
seven other states, moving from job to job despite being fired twice for
allegations of drug use and theft. Lack of regulation, poor communication,
and deception helped cover his trail. “Unbelievable,” said US Rep. John
Barrow (D-Ga.), lead sponsor of a bill that would require medical imaging
and radiation workers to meet uniform national standards in order for
employing hospitals to receive Medicare funding. Education and
certification standards vary in the 45 states that regulate at least one
type of job involving medical imaging or radiation therapy. The American
Society of Radiologic Technologists for years has lobbied for federal
legislation like the bill under consideration. Sens. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and
Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) introduced their version in July, with Barrow one of
130 House co-sponsors. Congress has failed to pass any previous versions,
despite no significant opposition, said Christine Lung, ASRT’s vice
president of government relations. “I think it’s going to take
situations like Mr. Kwiatkowski ... to really make the public sit up and
take notice,” Lung said. “While medical licensing laws and regulations
have traditionally been developed at the state level, Congress has an
important oversight role in ensuring patient safety across the nation,”
said John Billings, chief of staff for Rep. Charles Bass (R-N.H.). Sen.
Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) said she would consider legislative remedies, but
that hospitals bear the ultimate responsibility to prevent such incidents
by conducting thorough background checks and strictly controlling access to
narcotics.