In the News: Long Island Hospital Admits to Improper Insulin Practices
Scott Benner
CBS New York is reporting that the South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, NY is contacting patients who received insulin injections from a pen reservoir that might have been used with more than one patient.
from CBS New York
"More than 4,000 patients have received, or may soon receive, a disturbing letter in the mail about the risk.
The component that might have been reused was the reservoir – the part of the insulin pen where the hormone is held until injection — and not the single-use needle, the statement said.
The pens each contain multiple insulin doses with disposable needles. While nurses used new needles for each patient, they did not use a fresh pen.
Blood may have back-flowed into the chamber contaminating the insulin, the hospital warned.
The hospital said while the testing process is voluntary, it is recommended. The hospital will be offering the patients free and confidential blood testing services, and asked patients to schedule a blood test within 60 days of receiving the letter."