The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention said more patients in group settings are being exposed to blood-borne infections during diabetes testing, glucose monitoring and insulin delivery, according to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report.
Misused equipment and poorly trained staff have forced thousands to undergo blood testing for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C over the past decade. For example, more than 2,300 patients were potentially exposed to infectious disease at a Wisconsin hospital where a fingerstick blood glucose sampling pen wasn't properly cleaned between uses.
The CDC counted at least 15 outbreaks of HBV infection in the past 10 years associated with failing to follow basic principles of infection control when assisting with blood glucose monitoring.
Related Articles on Infection Control:
South Dakota Urology Center Sued for Improper Infection Prevention Procedures
CDC Reports Ongoing Salmonella Outbreak Across United States
Five More Patients Blinded by Drug in Los Angeles VA Hospital