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Author Topic: HCV infection from reprocessed single use surgical devices.  (Read 9105 times)

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Offline CE

  • Member
  • Posts: 147
  • Genotype 3. Sovaldi & Ribavirin 24 weeks.
HCV infection from reprocessed single use surgical devices.
« on: February 20, 2015, 01:29:43 pm »
Wondering what the views or facts are for the risk of HCV infection from single use (meant to be disposable) surgical devices that are reprocessed to be used again. The hospital that I work at is going to this option to save money. I am totally against it since disposable single use devices are not made of the same material as reusable devices that withstand the high temps of sterilization, and what if the reprocessing is not done efficiently or properly. I did have a blood transfusion twice in my life, but I also had several invasive procedures. Just assume I got it from the transfusion. What data is out there on this matter? Is there a documented infection rate?
 Thanks.
Chris :)
Diagnosed July 2014
Genotype 3
Viral load of 950,000
Most likely from blood transfusion in 1978
Treatment started November 2014
Sovaldi and Ribavirin for 24 weeks
End of treatment April 2015
SVR12 July 2015!!!!!!
SVR24 October 2015!!!!!
Cured!!!! Praise the Lord!!

Offline lporterrn

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,969
  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: HCV infection from reprocessed single use surgical devices.
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2015, 01:48:49 pm »
Like you, I'd have to see the data. Like you, I am concerned. Sorry, I don't know what the data is, but the hospital should be able to see that data.
Lucinda Porter, RN
1988 Contracted HCV
1997 Interferon nonresponder
2003 PEG + ribavirin responder-relapser
2013 Cured (Harvoni + ribavirin clinical trial)
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/lucindakporter

Offline sapphire101

  • Member
  • Posts: 238
  • "Stop worrying and start living"
Re: HCV infection from reprocessed single use surgical devices.
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2015, 07:12:41 pm »
CE most states have public concern 800 numbers that can be called anonymously to report any hospital activity that is suspect. These numbers are usually posted prominently in public areas such as waiting rooms and maybe this will sound like extremism, but I would call this in.
Let the experts sort it out. You action may save someone else.
Sapphire101
Genotype 1a Fibrosis level 1
Viekira Pak with ribavirin 12 weeks
Pre treatment  VL  1.7 million, AST 45 ALT 65
EOT VL not detected, AST 21 ALT 21
12 week SVR not detected,24 week SVR not detected.
Cured! Class of 2015

Offline CE

  • Member
  • Posts: 147
  • Genotype 3. Sovaldi & Ribavirin 24 weeks.
Re: HCV infection from reprocessed single use surgical devices.
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2015, 07:47:26 pm »
I don't believe this is anything that would constitute reporting since the FDA and CDC acknowledges it and allows it. My thoughts are that reusable devicescare made of more superior material to be cleaned easily and withstand the reprocessing/sterilizing regimen, whereas one time use devices are made cheaper, contain sharp, tight fittings that are NOT easily cleaned nor can be sterilized properly. The only data the hospital sees is the data the vendor shows them in order to sell the used device. The hospitals only care about saving money at the expense of the patient's health. These patients are totally unaware that they had this device used on them. I have to wonder if the hospital bills for the full price of a new device. And as for the patient, you all know very well how long we had HCV before actually knowing we had it, therefore, the patient will not know anything is wrong for years and by that time, the surgery is not suspected. This is so wrong! I did find a very good article on this matter.  http://rense.com/general77/hepp.htm
Seems there is not much we can do.
Chris :)
Diagnosed July 2014
Genotype 3
Viral load of 950,000
Most likely from blood transfusion in 1978
Treatment started November 2014
Sovaldi and Ribavirin for 24 weeks
End of treatment April 2015
SVR12 July 2015!!!!!!
SVR24 October 2015!!!!!
Cured!!!! Praise the Lord!!

Offline morning_glory

  • Member
  • Posts: 104
  • This is the first day, of the rest of your life...
Re: HCV infection from reprocessed single use surgical devices.
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2015, 11:34:03 pm »
Once again, it is all about saving money, not people.

MG
Likely infected - mid 70's / Diagnosed - mid 90's
Geno type - 1a
AST - 45
ALT - 51
Viral Load - 435,120
Liver Biopsy 6/2004 - F1-2
Fibrosure 5/2011 - F1-2
Fibrosure 2/2014 - F-0
Treatment Naive, prior to Harvoni
Harvoni started on 5/16/15
8-week Treatment Completed (7/10/15)
4-week bloodwork (6/11/15) Undetected, AST 15, ALT 17
8-week bloodwork (7/13/15) Undetected, AST 14, ALT 16

 


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