Midstate woman claims 5-year-old at Vanderbilt likely exposed to HIV and hepatitis

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WZTV) — Following publication of our story regarding the potential exposure of Vanderbilt endoscopy patients to HIV or Hepatitis, we are now hearing from a patient’s mother. He said the exposure could impact Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital over a longer period of time.

She told FOX 17 News she was very scared and showed us documentation of a letter stating her child may have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis.

Amber Holloway claims she took her 5-year-old daughter Adalynn to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital for a colonoscopy last year.

Months later, she said, a Vanderbilt employee told Adalynn she may have been exposed to HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C.

“Oh, that’s my baby, she means so much to me,” Holloway said. “I can’t imagine something like this that she would have to live with for the rest of her life.”

He said Vanderbilt staff told him over the phone that this was due to the equipment not being properly sterilized.

“There was some anger and frustration,” Holloway said.

He said he received a letter from his myhealth on the Vanderbilt portal about the potential exposure, and that made it all real for him.

“During routine quality reviews, we discovered an inconsistency in the sterilization documentation regarding the extent used in Adalynn’s procedure,” her letter to us read.

It also writes: “Although improperly sterilized scopes have the potential to expose the patient to viruses such as Hepatitis B or C or HIV, we believe the risk of exposure to your child is extremely low.”

He also said Vanderbilt Medical Center apologized in the letter.

“So they can say it to everybody, but as long as they don’t have to, you know what I’m trying to say, like take responsibility for it,” he said.

Adult patients previously reached out to FOX 17 News and said they also received the same warning.

Vanderbilt Medical Center answered our question and said the staff “immediately corrected the problem” and that the problem occurred “when a solution was applied through the scope during a limited number of endoscopy procedures at the Vanderbilt Clinic.”

Additionally, “We focus on informing people who may be affected. The proportion of endoscopy patients in the last six months is less than 4%.”

FOX 17 News asked Vanderbilt Medical Center Children’s hospital about the possibility of exposure outside the six-month period.

Vanderbilt Medical Center Chief Communications Officer John Howser said in response: “Thank you for the opportunity to respond. We are unable to answer any additional questions at this time.”

Although Holloway said that his child’s test was negative, he said that everything was not over for him yet.

“I would like to see my child and all the other patients, including you, get justice in this matter,” he said.

Holloway said he plans to sue Vanderbilt.

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