Foul-up may expose dozens to diseases

Medical trainees skipped protocols


Updated: Thursday, 13 May 2010, 6:18 PM MDT

Published : Thursday, 13 May 2010, 11:56 AM MDT



Reporter: Kaitlin McCarthy

Web Producer: Blair Shiff

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The wrong equipment, improper training and no paper trail has made for a potentially disastrous situation that could have exposed up to 33 people to HIV and hepatitis.



University of New Mexico graduate students in the physician assistant program thought they were doing a community service when they offered free diabetes testing at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque on Saturday, April 24. In all, about 55 people had their blood sugar tested.



“The device used to prick the finger to get the blood sample for testing was meant for single patient use and not for multiple patients,” Dr. Bob Bailey, the associate dean for clinical affairs at the UNM School of Medicine, explained.



By using that lancet on the 50-plus patients, some may have been exposed to serious diseases like HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C if a fresh needle wasn’t used. As many as 33 people may have been pricked by a used needle.



“Despite direct faculty supervision, three mistakes were made. They used the wrong device, they were not properly trained on how to use the device, and no record of people tested was kept,” Bailey said.



Once the people are tested for the diseases doctors will know if anyone was infected.



“At this time people who would have been infected at the event or potentially exposed [to the diseases], we would not expect them to have a positive HIV or hepatitis C test,” Dr. Susan Kellie with the med school said.



UNM will cover the costs of the recommended tests for those diseases.



“We want to work with those individuals to make it right by them,” Bailey said.



The debacle has already changed the way public testing is done. Bailey said those lancets will never be used again, those being tested will now be required to sign consent forms, and their contact information will be collected.



The testing mistake took place on April 24. Hospital officials are encouraging those who think they were affected to come forward. Call 1-888-899-6092 to ask for more details.