Sixth Nurse Recognized With Mind Tumor in Doable Cluster at Massachusetts Hospital

One thing unusual could possibly be taking place at a Massachusetts hospital. No less than six workers engaged on the identical flooring of the Newton-Wellesley Hospital have just lately developed benign mind tumors.

The most recent mind tumor case was disclosed this week by the Division of Occupational Well being and Security (OHS) at Mass Basic Brigham, the guardian system of Newton-Wellesley. The affected workers are nurses who’ve labored on the fifth flooring maternity unit. The hospital says its investigation has not but recognized any “environmental danger” linking the instances, although the Massachusetts Nurses Affiliation continues to be trying into the matter.

The potential tumor cluster was first reported by native media outlet WBZ in early April, whereas the hospital’s investigation had begun in December. Previous to this week, 5 workers at Newton-Wellesley have been identified to have developed mind tumors. On Monday, the Boston Herald reported that the OHS despatched a letter to sufferers and households revealing a sixth case.

“So far, by way of their worker interview course of, OHS has recognized six workers members who’ve labored for various durations on the fifth flooring and report creating benign (non-cancerous) mind tumors,” Ellen Moloney, president and COO of Mass Basic Brigham/Newton-Wellesley Hospital, wrote within the letter, in line with the Herald.

Most cancers or tumor clusters are generally brought on by environmental contaminants, comparable to carcinogenic toxins that find yourself in the identical consuming water. However the OHS says it has but to search out any potential shared trigger on the hospital for these instances.

“Whereas the OHS investigation is ongoing, now we have discovered no proof that these medical circumstances have been brought on by the work setting,” Moloney mentioned within the letter.

The workers themselves aren’t satisfied, nonetheless. And at the very least some consider that different latest sicknesses amongst their workers could possibly be related to the office.

“We would like reassurance, as a result of this has not been a reassuring previous few months for lots of the workers members,” one nurse identified with a tumor, who was granted anonymity, told WBZ. “We need to really feel secure, the identical method we need to make our sufferers really feel secure.”

The Massachusetts Nurse Affiliation, a union representing nurses at MGH, can also be conducting its personal investigation. The Affiliation previously told the Herald in early April that the hospital’s investigation was “not complete.” And for now, it’s nonetheless not closing the e book on one thing being flawed at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

“We’re glad to see the hospital is constant to look into this example,” a Massachusetts Nurses Affiliation spokesperson mentioned in an announcement to the Herald. “Our investigation is ongoing, and we’ll share the outcomes when our well being and security division completes its evaluation of the diagnoses reported to the MNA.”

The union’s findings are anticipated to be launched to the general public by the top of the month.