More than a thousand people in Colorado Springs could be infected with Hepatitis C, all because of a woman with an alleged drug problem.

Kristin Diane Parker, a former surgery tech with Audubon Surgery Center in Colorado Springs has been arrested. According to police documents, Parker says she would take syringes she had used for drugs, and switch them with needles used in surgeries.

The needles contained a powerful pain killer, Fentanyl. Some Colorado Springs residents were not surprised this happened so close to home. Others were scared by the reality that is had actually occurred. While still others, those who have been potentially affected are outraged. But all are in agreement, something needs to be done.

"Hopefully they will put in security measure that will guarantee peoples safety, especially after this," says concerned resident, Donna Dolce.

But, the Audubon Surgery Center feels they already meet and exceed the standard of care for everything the do, including the handling of drugs. They also say, Parker passed a standard drug test prior to employment. Unfortunately, that test does not normally look for the drug she was allegedly abusing. Even now, the Audubon Surgery Center does not expect to have any major changes to policies or procedures in the near future.

"There is no policy change we're going to be making tomorrow morning, because we found some big flaw in the system," says Medical Director for Audubon Surgery Center, J. Michael Hall M.D.

But that, may not be what people want to hear. Still, the Audubon Surgery Center is offering all patients who had surgery between May 4 and July 1 of this year, free Hepatitis C blood tests. You can call 719-571-4440 from 9-5, Monday through Friday for more information.

You can also go to the link below, and click on “Hepatitis C Information for the Community.”