Baystate Wing warning of infection risk following possible sterilization issue

PALMER, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - An unknown number of patients have been warned of potentially unsterile surgical equipment at Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, they were notified by Baystate Wing Hospital of a potential sterilizer unit failure that occurred over a two-day period in February.

While the DPH told us the sterilizer’s indicators passed quality testing during that time period, Baystate Health has notified all the potentially impacted patients and has recommended they receive bloodborne pathogens testing. The testing screens for diseases like hepatitis and HIV.

The department added that Baystate has determined the risk of possible infection to patients to be low.

On Friday, we with Attorney Rob DiTusa. He explained that, even if the risk of infection is low, the hospital could still face claims for emotional distress damages.

Western Mass News reached out to Baystate Health regarding the incident and they wouldn’t share the number of patients impacted, but, in a statement, said in part: “...All patients who required outreach have been notified by their provider, and we have not identified any illness or infection related to this.”

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