32nd NH patient diagnosed with same strain of hepatitis C as former lab tech

CONCORD, N.H. — Another New Hampshire patient has been diagnosed with the same strain of hepatitis C carried by a medical technologist accused of stealing drugs and contaminating syringes that were used on patients.

A total of 32 former Exeter Hospital patients have been diagnosed since the investigation began in May, though the case announced Wednesday was a bit different. Public health officials say the patient was treated at the hospital’s cardiac lab before David Kwiatkowski’s (kwiht-KOW’-skeez) reported April 2011 start date, though the patient was still in the hospital when Kwiatkowski began work.

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To rule out any other staff, the state is recommending that certain other hospital employees get tested.

Kwiatkowski previously worked in seven other states, moving from hospital to hospital despite having been fired twice over allegations of drug use and theft.

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