Reuse of blood-sampling device sparks health scare

WINNIPEG—Manitoba’s largest health authority launched an internal investigation yesterday after 17 patients may have been exposed to blood-borne infections while having their blood-sugar levels tested.
Health officials say they are looking into how a nurse at a Winnipeg clinic improperly reused a blood sampling needle for over a year after getting the single-use device from an industry representative.

The nurse used the finger-stick blood sampling device on patients at the Centre de Sante Sainte-Boniface between May, 2007 and October, 2008.
“She carried it around with her,” said Pierre Plourde, medical officer of health for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
“It was only recently, at the very end of September, that a co-worker just happened to notice her using it and asked questions. It was taken away immediately.”
While the needle was changed with each use, Plourde said the cap that touches the patient’s skin was only cleaned with alcohol before being reused.
The risk of infection is extremely low, Plourde said. But it is recommended that patients get tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C.
“It’s in the ballpark of one-in-a-million,” Plourde said of the risk to affected patients.
“The cap being wiped with alcohol renders the risk of transmission to virtually zero. Nevertheless, this is not a device that should be used between patients.”
The reuse of the blood-sampling device in Winnipeg comes after widespread concern over the potential reuse of syringes across the country.
More than 1,000 patients in Alberta have been offered testing for hepatitis and HIV after syringes were reused at a health clinic in High Prairie, 260 km northwest of Edmonton.
Saskatchewan also is investigating the reuse of single-use syringes in Lloydminster, Prince Albert, Weyburn, Swift Current, and Yorkton.
In all cases, the needle and syringe were used to inject medication into an intravenous bag, not directly into the patients’ bodies.
Health minister Teresa Oswald said she has asked health authorities to review how they use single-use devices in the wake of these concerns.
While the province will continue to be “vigilant” about patient safety, Oswald said she’s confident Manitoba patients are safe and that this was an isolated incident.