Norman Regional Hospital issued its response to Dr. Jerry Lewis' lawsuit filed against the hospital Tuesday.

"On behalf of Norman Regional Hospital, I can tell you that the accusation that the hospital is out to destroy Dr. Lewis is simply ridiculous," attorney Glenn Huff said in a statement.

"The hospital has never at any time suggested that Dr. Lewis himself infected any patient with Hepatitis C."

Instead, the hospital is "concerned that the failure of Dr. Lewis to properly supervise his assistant, (certified registered nurse anesthetist) Jim Hill, resulted in the hepatitis crisis we are facing."

Norman Regional Hospital has yet to be served the lawsuit filed by Lewis, hospital spokeswoman Karen Carraway said.

She said the hospital received an e-mail from a reporter asking the hospital to respond to Lewis' lawsuit, but the hospital does not have the actual document yet.

Hill allegedly reused needles while caring for patients under the supervision of Lewis, possibly spreading Hepatitis C to patients.

Lawsuits have been filed against the hospital, Hill and Lewis. Hill was under investigation by the Oklahoma State Board of Health. Lewis is no longer under investigation by the OSBH.

The hospital announced it has extended Hepatitis C testing on Tuesday.

The hospital has sent 497 letters to patients treated by Lewis and Hill between May 1, 1999, and Dec. 30, 2001, at the outpatient pain management clinic.

Former patients needing additional testing will not be charged, according to the hospital statement.

"Of those patients identified by testing as having been exposed to the virus, many may have already cleared the virus from their body, and others will clear the virus through the natural functioning of their own immune systems," according to a hospital statement. "Those who do not clear the virus, however, will require treatment by physicians familiar with Hepatitis C therapy."
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