Man Arrested In Connection With Hepatitis C Outbreak At NH Hospital
CONCORD, N.H. (CBS) - A medical tech has been arrested in connection with the recent Hepatitis C outbreak in New Hampshire.
Police arrested 32-year-old David Matthew Kwiatkowski, who is originally from Michigan.
He was a traveling medical tech in fewer than six states before beginning work at Exeter Hospital, where 31 people contracted the same strain of the virus over the last few months.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports
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Kwiatkowski was a medical tech in the catheterization lab at Exeter Hospital, where he worked from April 2011 to May 2012. The hospital says that a background check and drug screening was performed prior to Kwiatkowski's hiring.
Kwiatkowski allegedly used the drug fentanyl, a powerful anesthetic, with needles at Exeter Hospital. He would then allegedly use the same needles on patients, replaced the drugs with a saline.
Other workers said Kwiatkowski's behavior was unusual, saying that he would run out during procedures sweating, come in on days off to work on procedures. Other workers saw tracks on arms.
In a statement, the hospital said, "The indictment is a critical milestone in this incredibly difficult and painful situation."
Kwiatkowski is at a Massachusetts hospital for treatment and was arraigned Thursday at bedside by a magistrate.
He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
