Officials: Dix Hills doctor behind hepatitis scare

Newsday ^ | 11/14/2007 | MICHAEL AMON

[CaptainK]

The physician whose reuse of syringes caused the infection of two patients with hepatitis C has been identified as Dr. Harvey Finkelstein of Dix Hills, according to Nassau officials and an internal investigation by the state Department of Health.

Finkelstein, 52, an anesthesiologist since 1981, practices at Pain Care of Long Island, a pain management clinic in Plainview, according to his Web site. He has admitting privileges at the New Island Hospital in Bethpage, North Shore University Hospital in Plainview and Long Island Surgicenter in Melville, according to the Web site.

State health investigators indentified patients administered injections by Finkelstein three years ago. They sent warning letters to these patients this week.

Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi Nassau Wednesday said the time lag occurred because the state had to negotiate with the Finkelstein's attorney to secure relesase of the names.

Said Suozzi: "The idea that the doctor would lawyer up and protect himself and not put out this information immediately ... is completetly unacceptable."

[Doogle]

..What's up Doc?..Premiums?

[CaptainK]

A Doctor reusing needles give Hep C to two patients. Over 600 patients had to be notified. The state took two years to investigate and is letting this guy off the hook. His name is in the public domain only because Newsday is putting it out there .

New York state still allows this guy to practice.

State and local health officials said they could not officially name Finkelstein as the doctor for legal reasons because he was cleared by the disciplinary board.

[PAR35]

He won’t pay a few cents for new disposable syringes, and his primary practice area is selling painkillers? Anybody that greedy probably has done other things wrong as well. Surprising the DEA hasn’t paid him a visit.

[I still care]

He’s reused syringes for pain patients and given them hepatitis.

That’s big bucks for someone, and frankly, they deserve it. Hepatitis is a life changer, and a killer.

[surrey]

Interesting. I received an e-mail recently from an old high school friend who told me he had contracted Hep.C after being a patient at New Island Hospital. New Island used to be Mid Island Hospital. My daughter was born there.

[I still care]

Mid Island? I used to live in Merrick, my husband was in Mid Island several times.

[I still care]

BTW, They always change the names of hospitals, I think to confuse us. My first son was born in Nassau, now that’s Winthrop. My second was in Syosset. I don’t know what that call it now, but I don’t think it’s Syosset.

[dljordan]

“That’s big bucks for someone, and frankly, they deserve it. Hepatitis is a life changer, and a killer.”

I had it and the treatment is hell.

[surrey]

My youngest son was born in Huntinton Hospital which I think retains it’s name. My oldest son was born in NJ and the hospital is gone.
I grew up in the neighborhood across from Mid Island.

[Right Wing Assault]

What a cheap SOB! They out to stick him daily with syringes found in alleys. And send him to a jail full of AIDS infested father-rapers.

[CaptainK]

He also reused the vial.

[pandoraou812]

Tell me about it, I have it. I was told in 1982 I had non A non B Hep when I went to give blood after my 2nd son was born. There wasn't even a name for it then. Its now called the silent killer because so many people have it without knowing. I've tried interferon & all kinds of natural cures & mine is not any better. Thankfully I have Hep C2B which is more likely to respond to treatment. I hate the treatment as it makes you feel like he!!.

I think this Dr ought to be in jail & his license taken away. If he infected people then he has given them a life sentence of Hep C & its a horrible illness. You never get rid of Hep C & sometimes it goes into remission. I hear people tell me they've been cured by the new interferon.My doctor says its is not curable.

Hep C The Silent Killer

http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/rec/hep.html