Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
United Press International - November 15, 2007
Kent County officials said Thursday that nearly 5,000 patients could have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis due to Dr. Robert Stokes' practice of reusing scalpels, syringes and even sutures during his procedures.
Stokes, a Grand Rapids, Mich., dermatologist, was seen using the instruments on a video he submitted to defend himself against allegations he billed for surgical procedures he hadn't performed. He was convicted of insurance fraud.
Health officials told the Grand Rapids Press they had to wait some seven months before issuing the alert because Stokes was the subject of a federal insurance-fraud investigation.
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