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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Sterile office?
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Sterile office?
by Seanster, Aug 14, 2002 12:00AM
I visited a dermatologist yesterday to be looked over for melanoma. Towards the end of the visit I became concerned about the MD's office practice. For my injection of Lidocaine, he opened a drawer where there were a pile of syringes preloaded. I asked about those & he said his nurse prepped them all in the morning. I started thinking about the fact that I didn't see the needle unwrapped from a sterile package. Also when he had me lay down on the table it didn't have the usual paper liner that all offices seem to use. In a dermatoligists office of all places this seems to be unusual. I mean if someone had a skin condition couldn't it be transferred? Also I don't believe the Dr. wore gloves when he examined me, nor his nurse. When he left I looked in the trash to see if he'd thrown the needle in there. He didn't. Also, I didn't see a "sharps" disposal container. How can I set my mind at ease about the needle he used. I have a hard time believing anyone would re-use a needle, but I have heard of cases that violate standards to a greater degree than this. At this point I have scheduled a visit to a physician to have a complete check-up including blood tests. And I plan on not revisiting the dermatoligist I saw yesterday. How are doctors checked up on to make sure they don't save money by re-using syringes. Is there a way I can check to see if a physician has ever had a complaint filed against him/her? What can I do at this point to protect my health?
Sean Walton
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Sean Walton
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Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-DT, Aug 14, 2002 12:00AM
Thank you for visiting the Family Practice Forum.
There are a few things disturbing here. Firstly, I am amazed to hear that the doctor did not wear gloves. All rooms where needles are used are required to have a "sharps" container. I have never heard of a doctor "re-using" a needle. It is possible, but very very unlikely. It is possible that the lidocaine syringes were indeed preloaded. It is my practice to load the syringes with lidocaine with sterile gloves in a completely sterile manner. Having preloaded syringes in a "drawer" is NOT a sterile environment. You may want to check with your local health department to see if there have been any similiar complaints against this doctor/office. All physician offices and their "practices" are reviewed by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) routinely.
Another option you have is to contact the local OSHA office to see if this physician's office has had any problems. You can go to their website at www.osha.gov to find a local OSHA office.
I don't take your concern lightly AT ALL. While I think it is VERY unlikely that the doctor is "reusing" needles, not wearing gloves and a lack of presence of "Sharps" containers is certainly a concern.
I hope you find this helpful.
There are a few things disturbing here. Firstly, I am amazed to hear that the doctor did not wear gloves. All rooms where needles are used are required to have a "sharps" container. I have never heard of a doctor "re-using" a needle. It is possible, but very very unlikely. It is possible that the lidocaine syringes were indeed preloaded. It is my practice to load the syringes with lidocaine with sterile gloves in a completely sterile manner. Having preloaded syringes in a "drawer" is NOT a sterile environment. You may want to check with your local health department to see if there have been any similiar complaints against this doctor/office. All physician offices and their "practices" are reviewed by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) routinely.
Another option you have is to contact the local OSHA office to see if this physician's office has had any problems. You can go to their website at www.osha.gov to find a local OSHA office.
I don't take your concern lightly AT ALL. While I think it is VERY unlikely that the doctor is "reusing" needles, not wearing gloves and a lack of presence of "Sharps" containers is certainly a concern.
I hope you find this helpful.
Member Comments
by usedtobecatchy, Nov 16, 2002 12:00AM
Reminds me of something I saw years ago. It was the habit of the drs office to place the tubes of blood for the lab in an open tray on a counter...til' the day a tube exploded all over the poor gal next to it. The nurse aid pulled on gloves to wipe up, the nurse didn't bother with the gloves. There are sloppy standards everywhere-send them a registered letter with your concerns. They won't want to see you again, but I bet they sharpen up their office habits.
