Blood Borne Pathogen and Reusable Blood Tube Holders

[ashlee80309]

I had my blood drawn at my doctor's office last week.  

They use reusable blood tube holders on multiple patients and don't ever clean them in between patients.  They also use them for weeks or even months on end without throwing them out.  According to OSHA 50% to 80% of blood tube holders are contaminated after even a single use.  

I noticed that the blood tube holder (reusable vaccutainer) used on me was not clean had some blood splashes in it.  Am I at risk for contracting HIV or Hepatitis  B or C from a visibly dirty blood tube holder if another patients blood is present in the reusable vaccutainer opening (where the needle used on me was inserted)?  A clean needle was used on me, but the vaccutainer was dirty.  Can a previous patient's blood travel up that needle used on me and enter my bloodstream?  

Being that a blood tube holder is reused on multiple patients, is there a possibility of contracting HIV or Hepatitis B or C from a visibly dirty blood-tube holder?

I'd like an expert in the medical field to answer this question.  

Thanks for your help.

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Dear Ashlee,

It is conceivable that there is a very small (but not zero) amount of risk associated with the actions you describe. It is impossible to exactly quantify the very small amount of risk.

~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

[ashlee80309]

Dear Dr. Parks,

Thank you very much for your response.  Yes, an alcohol swab was used as were clean gloves.  

However, when the needle is inserted into the vaccutainer opening for venipuncture, can the physical needle itself touch the dirty vaccutainer opening?  Or is the double-ended needle that is used to pierce the tube for blood collection always fully protected  so as to avoid contaminants from the vaccutainer opening?

As aforementioned, my concern is someone else’s blood / contaminants being able to enter my bloodstream since the vaccutainer opening was dirty and there was blood in the reusable vaccutainer.  Should any sort of blood borne pathogen be a real concern?

News Article: http://www.bd.com/press/pdfs/BD_Pre-Attached_Holder_News_Release.pdf

Thanks for your time and expertise,
Ashlee

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Dear Ashlee -

The answer to your questions is that it is very unlikely, nearly impossible for you to contract HIV, Hepatitis B or C, or any blood borne pathogen in the way that you describe in your posting. Nevertheless, blood tube holders should be cleaned and sterilized.

I assume that the person drawing your blood was using clean gloves and swabbed your arm with alcohol prior to the venipucture, correct?

Please respond with additional questions.
~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.