A Never Event: Exposing the Largest Outbreak of Hepatitis C in American Healthcare History

CANCER CLINIC CAUSES WORST HEPATITIS OUTBREAK IN US HISTORY

In the small farming community of Fremont, Nebraska, townspeople eagerly welcomed an acclaimed doctor as the first full-time oncologist at their new cancer treatment center—but the fanfare soon turned into a nightmare.
During chemotherapy treatments, 857 patients who were already waging the fights of their lives against cancer, were inexplicably exposed to the deadly, blood-borne hepatitis C virus. At least ninety-nine of them contracted the lethal illness. The horror was unprecedented—this was the largest healthcare-transmitted outbreak of hepatitis C in American history.
A Never Event—a term used to describe a preventable medical tragedy—is a searing story of recklessness, deception and betrayal. It’s part mystery, part courtroom drama.
Written by a survivor of the tragedy and an attorney who represented many of the victims, A Never Event is a wake-up call to medical and legal communities nationwide.
“[A] harrowing account… I commend [McKnight’s] advocacy and efforts to raise awareness about healthcare-related infections and other potentially life-threatening illnesses.”—Hon. Shelley Berkley, congresswoman, Nevada
“The wake-up call to doctors, nurses and to patients.”—Joe Hardy, MD, Nevada State Assembly
“A ‘must-read’ for patients.” —Charles Stokes, president and CEO, CDC Foundation
“[McKnight’s] story has provided hope to people across the nation.”—Lawrence Sands, DO, MPH