A former surgical technician was sentenced this week in federal court to 30 years in prison for switching drug-filled syringes with used syringes. The patients who received these dirty needles were infected with the hepatitis C virus. At least 18 patients were infected at Rose Medical Center in Denver in 2008 and 2009.
The judge, Robert E. Blackburn, imposed a tougher sentence than federal prosecutors in the case expected. Blackburn called the crime of Kristen D. Parker "as incomprehensible as it is unconscionable."
The hepatitis C virus affects function of the liver and has devastating consequences. One of Parker’s victims, Lauren Lollini, went into the hospital to have a kidney stone removed. She left the hospital with a strain of the hepatitis C virus almost genetically identical to the virus Parker has after years as an intravenous drug user.
Parker, 27, gave a statement before the judge imposed her sentence.
"I was a drug addict. I put getting my next fix above my career, my family, taking care of my son and the safety and well-being of my patients," Parker said. "I have hurt an uncountable number of people."
Blackburn had made it known that he would not go easy on Parker. He rejected a plea bargain last month that would have sentenced Parker to 20 years in prison. Blackburn said that Parker was callous in her actions and did not care about the consequences of taking needed pain medication from patients.
"Tragically, for so many, she just didn’t care."
Rose Medical Center issued a statement after Parker’s sentencing. They made it known to Parker’s victims that they will get the necessary medical care to treat the hepatitis C virus. They also said that they have improved procedures inside their operating rooms and reassured the public that something as tragic as this would not happen again.
