Associated Press Published

'Recovery' Phase After Spill Includes Collecting Medical Records

WVSUwater.jpg

State health officials are seeking patient data from physicians who might have treated people affected by the Jan. 9 chemical spill.

The Charleston spill contaminated 300,000 people’s tap water in nine counties.

State Bureau for Public Health commissioner Dr. Letita Tierney says in a news release that the state is reaching out to health care providers to obtain data on any patient who might have been exposed to the contaminated water.
 
Letters have been sent to 865 physicians in the nine-county region asking them to voluntarily submit the data.
 
Tierney says the bureau’s focus has shifted from response to recovery.
 
That recovery phase will also include results of a federal chart review of patients who visited emergency departments between Jan. 9 and Jan. 23.