Broward General Medical Center Issues Second Patient Testing Notice re: Disease Exposure Due to Nurse Accused of Reusing IV Bags and Tubing
Broward General Medical Center has issued a patient notice update regarding the investigation of a Broward Medical nurse who reused IV bags and tubes on cardiac stress test patients.
A Nov. 9, 2009 update posted on the Fort Lauderdale, Florida based Broward Medical Center's website (see link below) reports that 1,851 patients were sent certified letters notifying them of possible exposure to diseases due to the nurse's alleged misuse of IV equipment. The hospital asked patients to call a hotline and come in for testing. Of that group 1,172 responded to the letter and 804 have received preliminary test results.
The hospital website states that it plans to send a second round of letters to patients who may have been affected and have not responded to the first mailing. Broward Medical is testing them for 3 bloodborne infections: hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
Background on the Broward General Medical Center Investigation in Florida
Registered Nurse Qui Lan, 59, is charged with reusing intravenous bags and tubing on patients undergoing chemical cardiac stress tests at Broward Medical Center between January 2004 and September 2009. In October 2009, and the hospital notified 1,851 patients who may have been exposed to blood diseases due as a result of Nurse Lan's actions.
The details of possible Florida medical malpractice and/or criminal negligence in this case remain under investigation. Police were looking into whether criminal charges would be filed against the nurse, who resigned in Sept. after details of the case came to light. The hospital website states that the nurse "acted on her own." The Florida Dept. of Health and CDC were notified.
A Fort Lauderdale, Florida medical error lawyer familiar with the Broward Medical Center nurse investigation may advise families and patients who are concerned about exposure to diseases resulting from improper use and handling of IV tubes and bags.
Broward General Patient Notice Update: Nov. 9, 2009
Nurse accused of reusing equipment; patients warned
CNNHealth.com Oct. 8, 2009
Related Web Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Diseases & Conditions
