When doctors ignore infection control
It’s bad enough when you read about the string of unsafe injection practices in Las Vegas, that forced 40,000 people to get tested for hepatitis C.
Then you read about Dr. Parvez Dara, an oncologist in Tom’s River, NJ.
On Friday, April 3, state regulators temporarily suspended Dara’s medical license because investigators found he violated infection control protocols, according to the Associated Press (AP). Nearly 3,000 patients were warned to get tested for hepatitis B after five cancer patients tested positive.
Perhaps what was more appalling was the long list of evidence presented by the state. Inspectors said they found blood on the floor where chemotherapy was administered, blood in a bin where vials were stored, open medication vials, unsterile saline and gauze, as well as problems with cross-contamination of pens, refrigerators, and countertops, the use of contaminated gloves, and the misuse of antiseptics.
“This was not a one-time episode,” Deputy Attorney General Siobhen Krier told regulators, according to the AP. “This is a case of egregious, bad medical judgment displayed over a long period of time.” Krier also noted that Dara had a history of health code violations dating back to 2002.
On Wednesday, the full state Board of Medical Examiners will decide whether to continue the suspension (stay tuned for updates).
It seems like we’ve heard more and more about cases like this. Less than a month ago, William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX was cited for using insulin pens on multiple patients, potentially infecting 2,114 diabetic patients. A few days prior, Nevada found infection control deficiancies in outpatient clinics throughout the state.
If you haven’t seen it already, the Tools section offers a number of free, downloadable infection control resources including guidelines for safe injection practices, and infection control surveys to avoid this kind of IC catastrophe.
As a healthcare employee, what would you do if you found yourself in a situation you knew violated infection control protocols, and put patients at risk?
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Comments
It is astounding to me, that in the 21st century we still have such ignorance from health professionals about infection control. How unfortunate for those who have incurred disease from this physician’s errors.
It is our duty, as patient advocates, to report any situations that violate safety and put our patients at risk.
I absolutely agree! It seems this was not done in ignorance, but in blatant disregard of infection control protocols. I have to wonder if it were any other profession that put the health and lives of so many people at risk, would we be so hesitant to take punitive action? As a nurse, I would definately report any situation that put my patients at risk.
In the article it states that Dr. Dara had a history of health violations dating back to 2002. Why was this health practitioner allowed to continue practicing under these conditions without being scrutinized more closely. Shame on those who knew about his disgraceful behavior and allowed it to continue. They are just as guilty as him.
This is the same issue that is facing our banks and goverment. GREED. Making money at any cost. Reusing equipment and supplies to save money is what drove the doctors in Las Vegas and I am sure it had something to do with the NJ cases as well. We spend enormous amounts of money on regulation in acute care, but precious little on outpatient services. These practioners are allowed to go forth and infect at will.
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