53 patients injected with same needle - Australia

[Guest guest]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/health/8208579/53-patients-injected-with-same-needle

53 patients injected with same needle

Wed Feb 9 2011

Fifty-three people on the NSW Central Coast could have been exposed to HIV and

hepatitis after they received injections using the same needle.

The 53 patients and two staff have been advised to undergo testing for the

serious diseases after they received blood tests at the Gosford clinic of PRP

Diagnostic Imaging, the Daily Telegraph reported.

A nurse mistakenly believed a blood sugar testing device called Accu-Chek

Multiclix automatically replaced the needle after each injection.

Instead the device, which contains several needles in a replaceable drum, needed

to be switched manually.

The foul-up meant patients at the clinic used the same needle between November

28 and January 28.

A letter sent to the 53 patients advised them they should be tested for HIV and

hepatitis.

" When I opened the letter I felt like I wanted to fall on the floor, " an unnamed

patient told the Telegraph.

" These are some of the sickest, most vulnerable patients whose immune system is

already compromised and we have to be tested for HIV and hepatitis — and then

wait for three months to do another test? "

PRP chairman said the chances of infection remained " low or very

low " .

" It was very regrettable and we are extremely distressed it happened, " Dr

said.

PRP Diagnostic Imaging is the largest private radiology company in Australia.

[Guest guest]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/health/8208579/53-patients-injected-with-same-needle

53 patients injected with same needle

Wed Feb 9 2011

Fifty-three people on the NSW Central Coast could have been exposed to HIV and

hepatitis after they received injections using the same needle.

The 53 patients and two staff have been advised to undergo testing for the

serious diseases after they received blood tests at the Gosford clinic of PRP

Diagnostic Imaging, the Daily Telegraph reported.

A nurse mistakenly believed a blood sugar testing device called Accu-Chek

Multiclix automatically replaced the needle after each injection.

Instead the device, which contains several needles in a replaceable drum, needed

to be switched manually.

The foul-up meant patients at the clinic used the same needle between November

28 and January 28.

A letter sent to the 53 patients advised them they should be tested for HIV and

hepatitis.

" When I opened the letter I felt like I wanted to fall on the floor, " an unnamed

patient told the Telegraph.

" These are some of the sickest, most vulnerable patients whose immune system is

already compromised and we have to be tested for HIV and hepatitis — and then

wait for three months to do another test? "

PRP chairman said the chances of infection remained " low or very

low " .

" It was very regrettable and we are extremely distressed it happened, " Dr

said.

PRP Diagnostic Imaging is the largest private radiology company in Australia.