Clinic re-using syringes. 40,000 patients in danger from HIV and Hepatitis!
Wow!
US officials said 40,000 people may have been infected with HIV and hepatitis in a major health scare after a Las Vegas clinic was found to have re-used syringes and medicine vials.
Authorities in southern Nevada said they were notifying some 40,000 patients who received anesthesia injections at the clinic’s endoscopy center between March 2004 and January 11, 2008 about potential exposure to hepatitis and HIV.
After an investigation, “the health district determined that unsafe injection practices related to the administration of anesthesia medication might have exposed patients to the blood of other patients,” it said.
“The joint investigation identified the re-use of syringes (not needles) and the use of single dose vials of anesthesia medication on multiple patients as the potential sources of contamination.”
Action has since been taken by the clinic to end such practices.
We do get the best health care in the world even if it’s expensive. Right?
That's what we're told by doctors, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and our politicians. All the people who "know better".
Posted: Thu - February 28, 2008 at 12:53 PM