Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by still_young_at_heart on January 27, 2013 at 6:26pm

I was sent a link to one of the articles above by a friend today. After 20+ years of constant advertising about the dangers of sharing syringes, the hospitals don't follow minimal safeguards. It's disgusting.

One more reason to keep control over your own blood glucose management if you ever find yourself in a hospital or medical setting.

I'm sorry that you were blown off today. That's pretty shocking - are they trying to get sued?

Maurie

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Permalink Reply by Jag1 on January 27, 2013 at 7:10pm

I think the chances are less than miniscule, assuming they changed needles. They did, right?

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Permalink Reply by garidan on January 27, 2013 at 7:52pm

Yes but perhaps that's enough, for a lawyer ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Buckley83 on January 28, 2013 at 12:03am

Well even if the did not, blood, fluids etc can still be drawn back into the vial following an injection leaving it contaminated.

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Permalink Reply by Jag1 on January 28, 2013 at 2:36am

This is a pen, not a syringe and vial. In my experience pens always drip after removal - meaning there is consistent positive pressure and therefore no draw back. If the needle is then removed and discarded, then I don't see any possible path into the pen's resevoir. This is based on my own observations; maybe I'm wrong. I just don't see it.

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Permalink Reply by Holger Schmeken on January 28, 2013 at 12:44am

A class-action lawsuit is fully justified. This is not a case of too hot coffee. This practice has a real risk of bodily harm and is irresponsible and unprofessional. And this in the year 2013 - unbelievable.

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Permalink Reply by Jag1 on January 28, 2013 at 2:41am

Realistically, I don't see any path for a pathogen assuming a pen is used and the needle is discarded and replaced after each use. Could you explain why you think this could be dangerous?

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Permalink Reply by Holger Schmeken on January 28, 2013 at 4:21am

In my experience the plunger mechanism of insulin pens is not as rigid as it should be. Normally the plunger can not revert but with the new pen designs that allow to dial-back this has changed. Thus the NovoPen4 for example must always be primed before use to make sure that the stamp is correctly aligned with the vial. Because of that you can not rule out that the vial might retract little amounts of liquid. I think this is especially true with hospital use on many patients for years. Obviously the hospital came to the same conclusion. I also think that all pens are certified for single person use only.

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Permalink Reply by Joyce on January 28, 2013 at 3:57am

I believe a lawsuit is justified. If you look at the CDC website they clearly say not to share pens. "Insulin pens must never be used for more than one person. Regurgitation of blood into the insulin cartridge can occur after injection creating a risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission if the pen is used for more than one person, even when the needle is changed." Hope your tests turn out well.

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Permalink Reply by Gerri on January 28, 2013 at 2:21pm

Disgraceful! I'm stunned, but shouldn't be. They bother swabbing skin with alcohol, which does absolutely nothing, & then use pens on multiple patients.

Cheaper for them to use vials & syringes. Wonder whose brilliant cost-saving idea it was to reuse pens. Even with changing needles, if they actually did, that's not a safe practice.

Report how you treated to the hospital administrator.

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Permalink Reply by Tim G on January 28, 2013 at 5:59pm

thanks for all the replies everyone. this is what i was told...

yes the risk is very very small, however it IS totally possible for bodily fluids to be absorbed into the reservoir of the pen. Insulin pens have always and will always be designed for one person. In fact, they are supposed to be labeled in a hospital setting.

Again, I am guessing they are doing this more to "cover their butt" however the fact that this was common practice is absolutely disgusting.

I'll keep you posted as more comes out.

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Permalink Reply by DeeJay on January 28, 2013 at 6:30pm

Out of curiosity; if the hospital changes the pen needle, nothing should happen right? Or does injection from a pen needle occasionally reverse bodily fluids into the insulin pen reservoir?

I want to give the victims of this mistake some hope, it's very scary to learn that over 2,000 patients possibly shared the same insulin pen. This is horrible, I hope the hospital involved gives some sort of compensation for their terrible mistake even if there happens to be no blood borne pathogens transmitted.

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