Neb.
Targets Doctor in Hepatitis Death
By
KEVIN O'HANLON
Associated Press Writer
July 29, 2003, 8:24 PM EDT
LINCOLN, Neb. -- The state began disciplinary action Tuesday
against a cancer doctor linked to a widespread hepatitis C
outbreak, citing poor infection control at his clinic.
One patient among at least 99 infected with the liver disease
died while awaiting a liver transplant, according to the
petition by the state Health and Human Services System against
Dr. Tahir Javed.
The petition also alleged that Javed had a sexual relationship
with a patient and incorrectly told her she had a fatal
disease. After the sexual relationship ended, the petition
said, Javed impersonated two doctors and tried to cancel lab
tests that had been ordered for the patient by a nurse
practitioner. He also discouraged the patient from seeking
treatment from another doctor, the petition said.
The petition charges Javed with unprofessional conduct, an
action that could result in revocation of his medical license.
Javed's attorney, Michael Jones, declined to comment.
Javed is not the only person under investigation for the
outbreak and the state is prepared to file more charges soon,
said Richard Nelson, head of regulation and licensure for the
state health system.
Nelson declined to say if the charges would be filed against a
nurse at Javed's office who is believed to have reused
syringes.
Nelson also refused to say whether action would be taken
against other health-care professionals who allegedly saw the
unsanitary practices in Javed's office but did not notify
regulators.
The patients all contracted hepatitis C after being treated at
Javed's Fremont Cancer Clinic between March 2000 and December
2001.
A state epidemiologist has blamed the spread on a nurse's
failure to follow sanitary precautions, and the petition
accused Javed of failing to supervise and "correct the
improper basic infection control practices."
The clinic is now closed, and Javed has returned to his native
Pakistan.
Hepatitis C, a viral infection of the liver, causes no
symptoms, and most carriers do not know they are infected. It
can eventually lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Dr. Alexandre Macedo De Oliveira, epidemic intelligence
service officer for the federal Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, has called Fremont's outbreak the largest of
its kind in the nation, and perhaps the world.
Patients have filed at least 70 lawsuits against Javed and the
clinic. Attorney Jim Davis, who represents 20 infected people,
did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
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On the Net:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases
Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press
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