An Essex County judge granted class certification on behalf of 3,700 former surgery center patients instructed to get tested for HIV and hepatitis after inspectors found unsanitary conditions there.

Superior Court Judge Bridget Stecher granted the motion for class certification Oct. 11 on behalf of all New Jersey residents instructed by the outpatient HealthPlus Surgery Center in Saddle Brook to get tested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Stecher also appointed Stephen DeNittis and Joseph Osefchen of DeNittis Osefchen Prince in Marlton as class counsel.