Knoxville, Tenn.-based Parkwest Surgery Center is facing lawsuits from a number of former patients alleging they received “persistent and aggressive infections” following surgical procedure due to negligence at the facility, according to a May 7 report from NBC affiliate WBIR.
Several of the patients named in the lawsuit underwent knee surgeries at the ASC in 2023, alleging they were then exposed to Mycobacterium fortuitum bacteria.
The suits claim that the ASC was aware of an infection problem, and did not take the appropriate steps to protect against product, water and equipment contamination.
Two patients claim to have nearly lost legs due to the infection, on top of $1 million in medical bills.
Lawyers for the ASC claim that all safety protocols were followed. In 2024, Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance took over management at the center.
The practice has since adopted new infection control measures and has reported no cases of bacteria since April 2024.
Attorneys for the patients believe that 12 to 15 surgery center clients faced infections in 2023, and the ASC ignored cases.
“TOA assumed operational and managerial control of Parkwest Surgery Center in April 2024, after purchasing it from the prior management group. At that point, we were in the position to take action regarding a limited number of post-surgical infections related to Mycobacterium fortuitum. We worked diligently along with our physician team to address the issue and understand how the situation occurred,” TOA told WBIR.
“TOA immediately identified and removed the likely source of the bacteria. At no time did any area of Parkwest Surgery Center test positive for the bacteria nor was it found on equipment or traced to any physician. There have been no new cases of Mycobacterium fortuitum infections associated with surgeries performed after April 2024.”
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