Health care-associated hepatitis C virus infections attributed to narcotic diversion.

Background: Three cases of genetically related hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection that were unattributable to infection control breaches were identified at a health care facility.

Objective: To investigate HCV transmission from an HCV-infected health care worker to patients through drug diversion.

Design: Cluster and look-back investigations.

Outbreak of toxic anterior segment syndrome following cataract surgery associated with impurities in autoclave steam moisture.

Background: Toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS), a complication of cataract surgery, is a sterile inflammation of the anterior chamber of the eye. An outbreak of TASS was recognized at an outpatient surgical center and its affiliated hospital in December 2002.

Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent cataract surgery during the outbreak were reviewed, and surgical team members who participated in the operations were interviewed.