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9430 Parkwest Blvd, Suite 210, Knoxville, TN 37923
865-531-0494
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Parkwest Surgery Center Inquiry

Home 9 Parkwest Surgery Center Inquiry
Thank you for contacting Parkwest Surgery Center. We value your outreach and want to ensure you receive information to best address your questions.

If you have questions related to recent reports about Mycobacterium fortuitum or your care following a procedure at our surgery center, please complete the form below. If you are a member of the media, please send requests to incidentresponseeast@toa.com.

For general inquiries, please consider the following Frequently Asked Questions.

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Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance and our dedicated physicians are committed to treating every patient as we would a member of our own family and we value the trust placed in us as health care providers. We recognize the impact, distress and uncertainty this situation presents our patients and their families.

TOA assumed operational and managerial control of Parkwest Surgery Center in April 2024, after purchasing it from the prior management group. At that point, we were in the position to take action regarding a limited number of post-surgical infections related to Mycobacterium fortuitum. We worked diligently along with our physician team to address the issue and understand how the situation occurred. 

TOA immediately identified and removed the likely source of the bacteria. At no time did any area of Parkwest Surgery Center test positive for the bacteria nor was it found on equipment or traced to any physician. There have been no new cases of Mycobacterium fortuitum infections associated with surgeries performed after April 2024.

In May 2024, The Tennessee Department of Health confirmed Parkwest Surgery Center met all applicable standards for quality and infection control. The center has been and remains in full compliance with all local, state and federal regulatory agencies. 

The consent agreement entered in late February with the Health Facilities Commission addresses actions prior to TOA involvement. Because of TOA’s commitment to transparency and proactive efforts, all concerns have since been addressed and the surgery center continues to be compliant with the Tennessee Department of Health’s quality and infection control standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened?
In late 2023 and early 2024, a limited number of patients at Parkwest Surgery Center developed a post-surgical infection. Laboratory testing determined it was caused by bacteria commonly found in the environment known as mycobacterium fortuitum.
What did Parkwest Surgery Center do about it?
Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance assumed operational and managerial control of Parkwest Surgery Center in April 2024, after purchasing it from the prior management group. Immediately, steps were taken to identify the source of the bacteria and remove it. At no time did any area of Parkwest Surgery Center test positive for the bacteria nor was it found on equipment. After such time, the center put renewed focus on infection control measures. Policies, procedures and protocols were implemented, and a new cleaning company was retained to ensure compliance with infection prevention measures and to improve and enhance facility management programs.

The center also more actively engaged public health officials and invited them into our facility to support our efforts.

Does Parkwest Surgery Center meet quality standards to provide surgical care?
The Tennessee Department of Health confirmed in May 2024 Parkwest Surgery Center met all applicable standards for quality and infection control. The center has been and remains in full compliance with all state and federal regulatory agencies.
Is the infection contagious?
Infected patients are not considered contagious, and it does not spread from person to person.