Reuse of medical instruments

Published: 01 October 2011

A case has been reported in Australia of the sequential infection of four patients on the same day at an outpatient clinic where each received minor surgery. The first patient is believed to have been an HIV-positive man with a low CD4 count; four subsequent patients on that day were all discovered to be HIV-positive, although it still has not been established that they are all infected with the same strain of HIV. The cases are believed to have occurred as a consequence of a failure of infection control . The doctor reused scalpel handles and disinfected rather than sterilised equipment.1

References

  1. Chant K Patient–to–patient transmission of HIV. Lancet 342: 1548, 1993
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.