More coverage: Nassau hepatitis scare

Freeport man to sue hospital over hepatitis diagnosis

Thomas Robinson thought the worst of his medical woes were finally behind him when he was released from Nassau University Medical Center after 18 days.

Hepatitis patient sues state over slow warning

A North Massapequa woman who says she contracted hepatitis C as a patient of Dr. Harvey Finkelstein is suing the state for failing to quickly notify patients of their risk for blood-borne diseases.

Health commish grilled over syringe case

State Health Commissioner Richard Daines conceded again Thursday that the state mishandled aspects of the Dr. Harvey Finkelstein case, and State Sen. Kemp Hannon said he would propose legislation to speed the notification of patients infected after improper practices and to disclose charges against doctors.

Twelve test positive for hepatitis B and C

As state Sen. Kemp Hannon prepares to convene a hearing Thursday on the Dr. Harvey Finkelstein case, patients of the Dix Hills physician continue to stream into Nassau County clinics to be tested for blood-borne infections.

Forum considers health care options

Even as a special state committee sorts through ideas for providing health coverage for all New Yorkers, an overarching question looms: Should everyone be required to join such a plan?

State: Key factors delayed patient notification

From their offices in Atlanta, Albany, Mineola and Central Islip, some of the country's top disease detectives dialed in to a conference call in May 2006. The topic: Dix Hills physician Dr. Harvey Finkelstein and lab results showing he had infected at least one patient with hepatitis C through his practice of re-using syringes.

Court found records discrepancies by Finkelstein in '04

Dr. Harvey Finkelstein settled a malpractice case in 2004 after acknowledging that the plaintiff's original medical records -- where he'd noted that the patient was HIV-positive -- did not match a set he brought to court.

Lawmaker drafting bill to study syringe use

Assemb. Andrew Raia (R-East Northport) said he is drafting a bill calling for the state Health Department to study the use of single-dose syringes to prevent disease transmission such as that which took place in the office of Dr. Harvey Finkelstein.

Health commissioner: We took too long to notify patients

State Health Commissioner Richard Daines said Tuesday that he is considering a range of institutional changes following public uproar over the state's handling of the Dr. Harvey Finkelstein case.

New push to reform state doctors' investigations

For years, legislators have been trying to reform the state's system of investigating and disciplining doctors.

Investigations of doctors kept secret

When it comes to investigating physicians like Dr. Harvey Finkelstein, New York State has a system that occurs largely behind closed doors.

Hepatitis scare stokes concerns about needles, syringes

Last week, nurse Roseann Nitz got a question from a patient unlike any other she's fielded in two decades.

State says syringe probe patient list growing

Nearly 375 patients of a Plainview anesthesiologist accused of reusing syringes have told the state Department of Health they should have been notified of a risk for blood-borne diseases because they received injections, officials said Friday.

Doctor faces Nassau DA probe in syringe case

Nassau County prosecutors have opened a probe into the tainted syringe case that authorities say potentially exposed thousands of patients of a Dix Hills anesthesiologist to blood-borne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B and C, a spokesman for District Attorney Kathleen Rice said Wednesday.

THE SYRINGE MESS

Hepatitis C's silence is its threat

Among viral infections that have reached epidemic proportions worldwide, hepatitis C ranks high on the list of public health threats because it lacks a protective vaccine, such as the one that has helped limit infections with its microbial cousin, hepatitis B.

Sloppiness can increase risk during procedures

If a medical clinician's techniques are sloppy, almost any procedure - from a dental filling to a yearly colonoscopy to minor surgery by a podiatrist - can go from routine to risky, experts say.

Negotiation with LI doctor delayed notification

State and Nassau health authorities could have subpoenaed the medical records of a Plainview doctor who they say may have exposed hundreds of patients to bloodborne diseases by reusing syringes, but decided instead to negotiate a voluntary agreement -- a process that ended up taking eight months.

Hepatitis scare: Whom to call for answers

State and local health officials have provided phone numbers for former patients of Dr. Harvey Finkelstein who are concerned they may have been exposed to hepatitis B or C, or HIV.

Finklestein probe not uncommon for New York

The state investigation of Harvey Finkelstein is not unprecedented, according to records that show a spate of similar investigations of hepatitis C transmission in health care facilities on Long Island and in New York City in recent years.

Hicksville man says doctor gave him 'death sentence'

Raymond Bookstaver sought Dr. Harvey Finkelstein's help to ease the pain in his aching back. Bookstaver left, he says, with a disease that he could have for the rest of his life.

Joye Brown: How can syringe misuse, lack of data happen now?

Hepatitis killed my mother.

Letter to patients