title: Outbreak of hepatitis C among patients admitted to the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Oncology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Poland, nosocomial infections account for 32% of all patients' claims against public hospitals, with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus (HCV) being the most common causes. We present a major nosocomial outbreak of the HCV infection in the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Oncology and the results of detailed sanitary and epidemiologic research.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of medicolegal opinions issued at the request of the civil court regarding the suspicion of HCV nosocomial infections was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The detailed medical data analysis proved 26 patients aged 19 to 72 years with recent HCV hepatitis hospitalized on the same gynecology ward. Twenty women were operated on for neoplasm. The State Sanitary Inspection's investigation revealed a number of malpractices: incorrect sterilization procedures, insufficient hygiene habits of health care workers, poor condition of premises, and equipment being in poor condition. Numerous cases of staff breaking basic sanitary rules and hygiene standards and a lack of crucial procedures were discovered. The high number of women infected and the multiple errors recognized led to closure of the ward.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Outbreaks of HCV hepatitis may be the result of ineffective infection control systems and remains a significant public health problem. Asymptomatic HCV nosocomial infections might go unnoticed or concealed and underreported. Auditing medical centers and health care workers for compliance with sanitary and epidemiologic requirements is an essential need.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: rorat.marta@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rorat
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jurek
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Lukasz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Szleszkowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gladysz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adverse event; Equipment contamination; Infection control; Safety