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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.
