A potential cluster of benign brain tumors among nurses working on the same floor of Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts has raised concerns and prompted investigations. Six employees on the fifth-floor maternity unit have reported developing these non-cancerous tumors, sparking questions about potential environmental factors within the hospital.
The latest case came to light this week in a letter from the Department of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) at Mass General Brigham, the hospital’s parent company. The letter, addressed to patients and families, confirmed the sixth case among staff members who have worked on the fifth floor for varying lengths of time. This follows earlier reports of five cases, which prompted the hospital to initiate an internal investigation in December. Local news outlet WBZ first reported on the potential tumor cluster in early April.
While the hospital maintains that its investigation has not uncovered any environmental risks linking the cases, both the affected employees and the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) are pursuing their own inquiries. The hospital’s president and COO, Ellen Moloney, stated in the letter that no evidence suggests a link between the tumors and the work environment.
However, the nurses themselves express concern and seek reassurance about their safety. One affected nurse, who spoke anonymously to WBZ, emphasized the importance of feeling safe in the workplace, just as they strive to create a safe environment for their patients. They are looking for concrete answers to allay their fears amidst the ongoing uncertainty.
The MNA, the union representing nurses at MGH, voiced concerns about the comprehensiveness of the hospital’s investigation in early April. They are conducting their own independent review of the reported diagnoses and plan to release their findings to the public by the end of the month. The MNA reiterated their commitment to the investigation in a statement to the Boston Herald, emphasizing their dedication to ensuring the health and safety of their members.
Tumor clusters can sometimes be attributed to environmental contaminants, like carcinogenic toxins in drinking water. However, the OHS has yet to identify any such shared environmental cause at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Despite the hospital’s assurances, the situation remains unsettling for the affected nurses and their colleagues, who await further information and reassurance about the safety of their workplace.
The ongoing investigations by both the hospital and the MNA aim to determine whether a connection exists between the reported brain tumors and the hospital environment. The results of these investigations will be crucial in addressing the concerns raised by the affected nurses and ensuring the safety and well-being of all staff at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/newton-wellesley-hospital-nurses-brain-cancer-cases/
