Important Patient Safety Notification
Madison, WI - Dean Clinic has notified state and local health officials that we are investigating the inappropriate use of insulin demonstration pens and finger stick devices during patient training. An internal review found that a former Dean Clinic employee was inappropriately using these devices during some patient visits between 2006 and 2011. Therefore, there is the potential that patients were exposed to bloodborne diseases (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV).
Patient safety and compassionate care are foremost priorities for Dean Clinic, which is why we take this incident very seriously and will be collaborating with state and local health officials every step of the way.
As a result of our investigation, we are contacting 2,345 patients to determine whether they may have been exposed. These patients will be receiving phone calls and letters from us. We have a team ready to answer patients’ questions. We will also take responsibility for needed testing, we will coordinate follow-up care and support patients’ needs.
“Dean Clinic is committed to supporting our patients. There is nothing more important to us than the health, well-being and safety of the people we serve,” said President and CEO of Dean Clinic Craig Samitt, M.D. “Our goal is to ensure that those who may have been affected by the inappropriate use are promptly informed, tested and supported.”
We have conducted an investigation and have identified this as an isolated incident. As a commitment to our patients, we are reeducating patient care staff on the proper use of these types of devices, enhancing our auditing and monitoring procedures related to these devices and improving our process for routinely observing the clinical practices of our staff.
We will provide updates as additional information becomes available.
Health Resources from the CDC and Wisconsin Department of Health:
Dean Clinic is a multi-specialty health care delivery system based in Madison, serving south-central Wisconsin. The Dean organization includes approximately 720 providers who provide primary, specialty and tertiary care at almost 60 locations throughout southern Wisconsin.
