Hundreds of Dialysis Patients Exposed to Disease

Failure to use proper signage and protective gloves at the medical center were cited as possible causes.

During an inspection of Baystate Medical Center, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health found that 575 dialysis patients may have been exposed to pathogens, according to MassLive.com.

The cause, according to the article, may have been because the hospital "failed to adhere to standard protocol."

Several areas need correction, "including the use of proper signage, use of protective gloves, and enhanced documentation of dialysis operations," according to the website, citing an inspection by the state Department of Public Health.

Doctors at the facility said the patients are receiving the letter out of caution, but do not believe most of them will need any further testing, or are in any harm.