Many hospitals found to be reusing blood-collecting devices

Wednesday 04th June, 03:19 PM JST

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14 Comments

TheguyNextdoor at 03:41 PM JST - 4th June

WTF!!
borscht at 03:54 PM JST - 4th June

Critics blamed the health ministry

In a world where 'we' are never responsible for dangerous use of medical supplies, 'we' will blame someone else.

On the other hand, if the device is sterilized, isn't that sufficient? I thought it was. Anyone know?
Hughgarse at 04:24 PM JST - 4th June

On the other hand, if the device is sterilized, isn't that sufficient? I thought it was. Anyone know?

you can take that risk, but me, Id like to know the needle they use on me isnt one that was used to draw the blood from an HIV patient.
capone at 04:47 PM JST - 4th June

not only is japan's medical profession stuck in the 1800s, they're amazingly inept and corrupt
outofmydepth at 06:13 PM JST - 4th June

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!! i read that sterilized meant wiping it with alcohol. is that really enough? i don`t want them to use something like that on me. geeez. what century are we living in here????????????
Zen_Builder at 06:19 PM JST - 4th June

More japan slamming, guess you guys overlooked this

In March 2006, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry issued a directive banning the practice in response to infections which occurred in Britain with hepatitis via the practice.
capone at 06:54 PM JST - 4th June

so by your reasoning we shouldn't blame japan because it happened somewhere else as well ? brilliant
borscht at 06:56 PM JST - 4th June

Zen_Builder,

I read that part but I'm still puzzled why a medical professional would do it in the first place. The article says the blood collecting devices were sterilized and the docs thought this was good enough. In 2006 (Because of an accident in England) HLW Ministry says don't. I don't believe doctors in the US have been reusing needles since Pasteur.

Re-using needles? Even some junkies know better than that.
Zen_Builder at 07:08 PM JST - 4th June

borscht. What the article referring to I think are the glass-bottles NOT the needles. The doctors over always opened packages for needles, etc in front of me. I know even that is still no guarantee

Said that which countries Doctors or any other professional will stop an established practice immediately when ordered to do so. Very few.

capone: How can you be sure that it doesn't happen in your country either?

So I say "think" what is the likely-hood of it happening in my country before jumping up and slamming Japan or anywhere else for that matter.
Zen_Builder at 07:11 PM JST - 4th June

As to why do they do it, I guess to save money.

Syringes and bottles are expensive and if they use a new one for every patient the cost will get past onto yours truly.
some14some at 08:23 PM JST - 4th June

As to why do they do it, I guess to save money.

This is how Japan has become World's second largest economy? Advanced country? things are no better than 3rd world countries.
NuckinFutz at 09:29 PM JST - 4th June

Is it just me or does anyone else here feel like you're living in a country operated by, and governed by, complete incompetent morons?
medievaltimes at 11:43 PM JST - 4th June
Two points...
1. Is Japan really living in 2008?
2. Where is the public outcry?
Himajin at 10:16 AM JST - 6th June

They were not re-using needles. I saw a report on the news this morning, one of the things they were using on more than one patient was a glucose-monitoring device. A spring-loaded lancet is used to puncture the finger, as many people hesitate to stick themselves at all let alone several times a day. You turn the tip of the device to set the spring, put it against your fingertip and push a button. There is also a dial to set the force with which the needle comes out.

They were required to change the whole plastic top on the device as there is a small chance it might get blood on it, but they were just changing the needle.