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Author Topic: 700 possibly exposed to HIV at the Buffalo, New York VA...  (Read 2771 times)

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Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
700 possibly exposed to HIV at the Buffalo, New York VA...
« on: January 14, 2013, 04:06:09 pm »
Heard this on the news today...

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/hiv-exposure-buffalo-hospital-article-1.1239716


700 at Buffalo VA hospital exposed to HIV after accidental reuse of insulin pens
Authorities said there is a 'very small risk' for diabetic patients who may have been exposed to reused insulin pens between October 2010 and November 2012. Hospital officials said that, although pen needles were changed, the actual pens may have been used on more than one patient.
Comments (2)
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, January 14, 2013, 11:43 AM
   
   
   

The Buffalo Veterans Administration Medical Center. Authorities said 700 patients there may have been exposed to HIV because of the accidental reuse of insulin pens.

More than 700 patients at the Buffalo Veterans Administration Center may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C because of accidental reuse of insulin pens, according to a hospital statement and published reports.

Authorities told The Buffalo News there is a "very small risk" for the diabetic patients who may have been exposed to the reused insulin pens between Oct. 19, 2010 and November 2012. The VA memo obtained by the News said the problem was discovered by a routine pharmacy inspection last Nov. 1. The News first published the report on its website Friday.

The VA also notified western New York members of Congress of the possible exposure.

In a statement to The Associated Press, VA spokeswoman Evangeline Conley said the hospital "recently discovered that in some cases, insulin pens were not labeled for individual patients." She added that "although the pen needles were always changed, an insulin pen may have been used on more than one patient."

Conley said that once this was discovered the hospital took "immediate action" to ensure the insulin pens were being used according to pharmaceutical guidelines.

Insulin pens used by diabetics to inject insulin can be disposable or reusable with replaceable needles and cartridges. But according to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, even reusable pens should not be used on more than one patient.

After seeing the VA's memo, Rep. Chris Collins, a Republican who represents the Buffalo area, said he spoke with Dr. Robert A. Petzel, undersecretary for health at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"His thought was that it's a very, very low chance of passing infection," Collins said. "But it's not out of the realm of possibility, and that's why they're testing everyone," Collins told the News.

Collins said that even with a fresh needle, contamination could have occurred if bodily fluid flowed back into the insulin pens.

The VA said it is offering free blood tests to rule out any infections.

Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

MilburnCreek

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Re: 700 possibly exposed to HIV at the Buffalo, New York VA...
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2013, 06:35:28 pm »
At the risk of being skewered....I dont think there's much of a risk here at all.  in fact, it seems like its all drama rather than science.

Insulin needles are tiny (5/8" or shorter, generally) and are administered sub-Q with little or no contact with blood or any other fluid for that matter.  "Back flow" is unusual in a typical insulin needle.

Count me Skeptical.

Offline bocker3

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,285
  • You gotta enjoy life......
Re: 700 possibly exposed to HIV at the Buffalo, New York VA...
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2013, 10:43:08 pm »
At the risk of being skewered....I dont think there's much of a risk here at all.  in fact, it seems like its all drama rather than science.

Insulin needles are tiny (5/8" or shorter, generally) and are administered sub-Q with little or no contact with blood or any other fluid for that matter.  "Back flow" is unusual in a typical insulin needle.

Count me Skeptical.

Did you even read the article??  They said there was a very, very low chance -- you know, pretty much what you are saying here.  So, are you skeptical or do you agree there is a very, very low likelihood that anyone got infected?   ::)

MilburnCreek

  • Guest
Re: 700 possibly exposed to HIV at the Buffalo, New York VA...
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2013, 12:05:45 am »
I am skeptical that a headline of that nature should even have been announced...it is irresponsible, in that promotes the culture of fear.

No one reads the article...

 


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