More than 700 patients and 40 employees exposed to employee with active case of tuberculosis at West El Paso hospital

Several hundred patients and 43 employees at Providence Memorial Hospital were exposed to an active case of tuberculosis that a hospital employee had.

The employee worked in the post-partum and newborn nurseryarea of Providence Memorial Hospital (PMH).

This exposure to the 706 patients and 43 employees took place between September 2013 and August 2014.

(Editor’s Note: Learn more about latent and active cases of TB athttp://1.usa.gov/1zkSvVS)

The employee was diagnosed Aug. 25. The employee has not been at work since they were diagnosed and authorities were notified.

The El Paso Department of Public Health is working closely with the staff of PMH and has carefully reviewed employment and medical records to determine exactly which infants and employees were exposed.

The affected patients are receiving letters.

Random patients don’t need to contact the hospital because hospital officials are contacting the ones who are at risk.

“We want to assure the public we will contact them, we will take responsibility for this case,” said Enrique Martinez, medical director of Providence.

Martinez said the the risk to contract TB is low.

“In the case a patient, a child, a mother who was exposed,” Martinez said. “If we treat it appropriately, studies have demonstrated almost 100 percent (of patients) will be well.”

Martinez added that every hospital receives TB cases.

“This is not unique to Providence,” Martinez said.

Post-exposure screen and follow-up will be provided free of charge through the DPH and PMH.

Public Health officials are collaborating with state officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to facilitate these screenings.