2,345 Patients Exposed to Bloodborne Illness! OSHA Regulation are Important!

Clinic to warn patients of possible hepatitis and HIV transmissions

By: David LaHoda September 1st, 2011 ShareThis

Dean Clinic, Madison, WI, is notifying 2,345 patients that they may have been exposed to bloodborne illnesses during the past five years, reports ABC News.
Those potentially exposed were diabetes patients receiving training on how to self-administer finger sticks and insulin shots.
According to the clinic’s statement, “An internal review found that a former Dean Clinic employee was inappropriately using these devices during some patient visits between 2006 and 2011. Therefore, there is the potential that patients were exposed to bloodborne diseases (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV).”
Though needles were changed between each patient, the nurse trainer reused the rest of the device, presenting a slight risk of blood transfer from patient to patient, according to ABC News.
In fact the device used was intended for training purposes on inanimate objects not for patients, Dr. Mark Kaufman, Dean Clinic chief medical officer, told ABC News.
The clinic’s statement explained that potentially exposed patients will receive calls and letter identifying resources, such as a team for answering patients’ questions, providing testing, and coordinating follow-up care.
Editor’s note: Download Infection Control and Safe Injection Practices: Diabetes Care under the Infection Control heading on the OSHA Healthcare Advisor Tool page.

Comments(0) Featured, Infection Control