A Never Event: Exposing the Largest Outbreak of Hepatitis C in American Healthcare History - Softcover

McKnight, Evelyn V.; Bennington, Travis T.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0615394973 ISBN 13: 9780615394978

Publisher: History Examined, LLC, 2014

Synopsis

CANCER CLINIC CAUSES WORST HEPATITIS OUTBREAK IN US HISTORY

In the small farming community of Fremont, Nebraska, townspeople eagerly welcomed an acclaimed doctor as the first full-time oncologist at their new cancer treatment center—but the fanfare soon turned into a nightmare.
During chemotherapy treatments, 857 patients who were already waging the fights of their lives against cancer, were inexplicably exposed to the deadly, blood-borne hepatitis C virus. At least ninety-nine of them contracted the lethal illness. The horror was unprecedented—this was the largest healthcare-transmitted outbreak of hepatitis C in American history.
A Never Event—a term used to describe a preventable medical tragedy—is a searing story of recklessness, deception and betrayal. It’s part mystery, part courtroom drama.
Written by a survivor of the tragedy and an attorney who represented many of the victims, A Never Event is a wake-up call to medical and legal communities nationwide.
“[A] harrowing account... I commend [McKnight’s] advocacy and efforts to raise awareness about healthcare-related infections and other potentially life-threatening illnesses.”—Hon. Shelley Berkley, congresswoman, Nevada
“The wake-up call to doctors, nurses and to patients.”—Joe Hardy, MD, Nevada State Assembly
“A ‘must-read’ for patients.” —Charles Stokes, president and CEO, CDC Foundation
“[McKnight’s] story has provided hope to people across the nation.”—Lawrence Sands, DO, MPH

About this title

About the Author

Evelyn V. McKnight contracted the chronic hepatitis C virus during the Nebraska outbreak. She co-founded the patient advocacy organization HONOReform, which has been recognized by CBS, CNN’s American Morning, USA Today, The Associated Press and Newsday.

Travis T. Bennington is a practicing civil trial attorney who successfully represented nineteen victims of the Nebraska hepatitis C tragedy. Mr. Bennington is also a co-founder of HONOReform.

A portion of the profits from this book will go to the HONOReform Foundation. www.HONOReform.org

Review

Dr. McKnight's efforts and her own harrowing account have helped to bring important attention to the root causes of these avoidable tragedies. I commend her advocacy and efforts to raise awareness about the impacts of healthcare related infections involving hepatitis C and other potentially life threatening illnesses. --Shelley Berkley, congresswoman, Nevada

This will be the wake-up call to doctors, nurses and to patients. Everyone's concerns for patient safety should be resolved, reporting systems should be immediately linked and swift action should be encouraged to protect all patients. This book will be the text for all ethical healthcare providers. --Joe Hardy, MD Nevada State Assembly

This is a 'must-read' for hospital and clinic administrators, providers and especially patients. It is up to each of us in our respective roles to proactively assure that what happened to Evelyn McKnight and is happening in alarming numbers to other patients across the country, doesn't happen under our watch or in our personal care situation. --Charles Stokes, CEO of CDC Foundation

Edition details

• Publisher: History Examined, LLC
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0615394973
• ISBN 13: 9780615394978
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 360