wondering

[snowy66]

Hi, I have recently been through an endoscopy procedure where a surgeon looked in my upper abdomen to see why I was suffering acid reflux.

The thing that freaked me out was that as I was wheeled in the previous patient was taken out.  When I asked the nurse if they use a new endoscope she said that they are sterilised between each patient and that she was just going to remove my one from the sterilisation machine.  She said that they did not re-use endoscopes until they had been sterilised.  My question is... if for any reason my endoscope had been a re-used one on teh previous patient coule I be at risk for HIV.  i.e human error and it was re-used.

Thanks

[snowy66]

Thanks :)

[Vance2335]

Yes

[snowy66]

Thanks Vance, I value your opinion and take on board your comments and think you could be right.  I just want to know that you would still stand by No Risk if it was re-used?

[Vance2335]

No risk.
To think of the "what if" means your never going to let this go. A therapist might be of better help at this point.

[snowy66]

I just wanted to ak another question on this one, sorry!!!  I understand that in hospitals they have strict sterilisation procedures etc,...  but if due to some kind of human error the scope was re-used do you think there is a risk?

I have thought it through and have come to the following conclusion but just want to know if the experts agree with me.  

A.Saliva and stomach acid would inhibit HIV
B.Even with an ulcer in my mouth this would not be enough of a wound to transmit the virus if blood was in contact
C. A few mins environmental exposure would cause some damage to the virus
D.  Copious amounts of bllod woudl be required to even be considered a remote risk


Please let me know what you think.  I know I am being over anxious, I really do but I would love some feed back.

[snowy66]

Yeah I know and to be honest with you the nurse was pretty adamant on it.  I guess with everything that has gone on form me in the last few months I am feeling pretty anxious about the subject!

[diver58]

Hospitals are hospitals, not street side quacks. Your fears are baseless. Apart from their commitment towards best practices, no hospital would like to be sued for negligence and carelsesness.