Clinic Accused of Reusing Syringes Sued

[flashl]

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A former patient sued a surgical center believed to have spread hepatitis C by reusing syringes and vials of medication, saying Thursday he fears for his health.

The suit comes a day after the Southern Nevada Health District announced that unsafe practices at the clinic may have led to six reported cases of hepatitis C, a potentially fatal blood-borne virus.

Another 40,000 people who received anesthesia at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada between March 2004 and January 2008 are being urged to be tested for hepatitis, strains C and B, and HIV.

''I feel like a ticking time bomb. I'll get tested ASAP, but since HIV can lay dormant for many years, my wife and I face a future of uncertainty and fear,'' according to a statement from the plaintiff, Charles Anthony Rader, Jr., who says he received treatment during that period and may have been exposed.

NY Times

[lizerdbits]

1. Are syringes that expensive?!

If this did happen was it to save money? Looks like it will backfire at the expense of people's lives. Everyone who knew this was happening should be financially responsible for the medical care of anyone who was infected there. I wonder what hurdles patients will have to go through to prove they were infected at the clinic and not elsewhere.

[flashl]

3. Seems odd but not an exception ...

Long Island Medical Malpractice Cases Spark Call for Ban on Multi-dose Vials

February 4th, 2008

Multi-dose syringes, at the center of two Long Island medical malpractice scandals, should be banned to prevent further problems, according to one New York State health official. Health Commissioner Richard Daines last week asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put an end to the manufacture and distribution of medications delivered via multi-dose vials, after it was discovered that two Long Island doctors habitually reusing syringes on multiple patients. In the first case, the notorious Dr. Harvey Finkelstein of Dix Hills sickened at least one person with hepatitis C and jeopardized countless others. The second, Dr. E. Jacob Simhaee, a Manhasset-based obstetrician-gynecologist, admitted to reusing syringes last fall on 36 patients.

...

Daines said despite “numerous guidelines and recommendations,” some doctors continue to misuse needles and syringes, leading to contamination of multidose vials.

[JackBeck]

4. From what I've read

the reason we're starting to see more of these cases is due to the lack of oversight private doctors and clinics receive, compared to the amount of oversight and scrutiny that hospitals face.

[Warpy]

7. The problem wasn't so much the same syringe used for two draws

out of the same vial, it was that the vial was being used for more than one patient when it was clearly labled a one dose vial. It should have been discarded as soon as the patient no longer needed the drug.

They broke proper technique twice: they reused the same syringe for two draws, contaminating the vial; then they used the vial on a second patient.

They're probably not going to be in business much longer and somebody is going to be hung out to dry because of such sloppy technique.

[JackBeck]

2. HIV does not "lay dormant for many years".

Someone needs to get Mr. Rader to a pre/post test counselor ASAP.

[lizerdbits]

5. One year is the cut off for antibody testing

It can take that long for antibodies to show up sometimes. When I donate blood there are many questions starting with "In the past 12 months have you...."

[JackBeck]

6. Actually, it's 6 months.

If you haven't seroconverted after 6 months, you do not have HIV. Most people seroconvert between 2-12 weeks. Although rare, for some people it can take up to 6 months.

From my experience, where the disconnect comes for many, is that they tend to get tested when they move into the symptomatic stage, after they have been positive for many years, but were unaware of their status. This is why some think that HIV was "hiding out", when in reality, HIV has been there the whole time.