A physician used scissors that were unwrapped and used on a prior patient to cut gauze and treat another patient, according to the report.
Himanshu Singh, MD, the interim medical director of the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, told WANE actions were taken that day. The affected patient had additional blood work done, and the hospital is adding extra infection control training for its staff.
In terms of changing protocol, the hospital now has a staff member enter rooms and make sure all instruments are in place for the incoming patient and physician so the chance for human error is minimized.
More articles on infection prevention:
Calif. medical office closes after possible hep C exposure
Zero injuries from patient falls: One hospital demonstrates how it’s possible
HIV patients experience better kidney transplant outcomes than hep C patients