Why do you think a health care professional (HCP) reused needles at a flu shot clinic?

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 10:20:21 -0400

Why do you think a health care professional (HCP) would "accidentally" do this, and how was it possible that she could use the same needle 259 times before someone noticed? I can see 1, and I doubt it, but maybe 2 accidentally, but 259??? Really??? I'm aware that there is not much to the story, but what are your thoughts about why this HCP that would do such a thing?

A Georgia nurse is under investigation after being caught administrating flu shots with out changing needles. According to the Health Department in Macon, Georgia, the nurse gave the flu shot to 259 people. At least 6 of those people had HIV and 11 had Hepatitis. The Health Department has requested that everyone who received a flu shot at the location come back for HIV and Hepatitis testing over the next few months. Officials are working diligently to contact everyone who received a flu shot that day. The state Attorney General’s office has announced that even though no charges have been made towards the nurse, he license has been suspended.
“We are terribly sorry for our nurse not following proper protocol when administrating a vaccination. We are working to train our staff better and we accept full responsibility for the nurse’s negligence” says the director, Dr Lynn Hamford.
The clinic has yet to reveal whether any criminal charges will be brought forth to the nurse because of his negligence.
Hundreds are expected to return to the clinic for free testing. Unfortunately for the patients, it could take months for HIV to be detected so many will have to wait anxiously.

Hundreds Exposed To HIV and Hepatitis After Georgia Nurse Reused Needles At Flu Shot Clinic

   A Georgia nurse is under investigation after being caught administrating flu shots with out changing needles. According to the Health Department in Macon, Georgia, the nurse gave the flu shot to 259 people. At least 6 of those people had HIV and 11 had Hepatitis. The Health Department has requested that everyone who received…

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Oct 16 at 2015 10:23 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 10:23:44 -0400

What was she thinking?

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 16 at 2015 10:28 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 10:28:07 -0400

"The state Attorney General’s office has announced that even though no charges have been made towards the nurse, he license has been suspended"....DO WHAT??? Well there's going to be additional people standing in the GA unemployment line from this hospital. One should be under the jail for this, and if this happened this time, how many times has it gone unnoticed before?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 10:35 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 10:35:00 -0400

Ok, I have an SRP in a month or so.............Im so going to tell them to stick their needles somewhere else other than me because of this.

Response by SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres made Oct 16 at 2015 10:38 AM

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 10:38:13 -0400

Maybe she just wanted to screw over everyone, I don't see how people are that clueless. I would actually have to kill the woman, I would be shot or in prison for the rest of my life.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 10:43 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 10:43:28 -0400

This was not an accident.
Pending any revelations about early dementia setting in with this nurse, I can't see any way a routine protocol would be disregarded that many times without intent. Handling sharps is one of the first thing a nurse learns.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 11:24 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 11:24:55 -0400

This is almost beyond belief. Has anyone validated the source of the story? I did not see it.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Oct 16 at 2015 4:00 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:00:58 -0400

Another nurse, in NJ, accused of reusing syringes while giving flu shots to 67 patients at a pharmaceutical company voluntarily surrendered her license... New Jersey officials said Thursday.
"The state Attorney General's office said the nurse's license is temporarily suspended and she isn't able to practice pending a further ruling from the state's board of nursing."

License Suspended for Nurse Accused of Reusing Syringes

A nurse accused of reusing syringes while giving flu shots to 67 patients at a pharmaceutical company voluntarily surrendered her license, New Jersey officials said Thursday. The state Attorney General's office said the nurse's license is temporarily suspended and she isn't able to practice...

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 4:15 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:15:56 -0400

I can only think of two reasons a health care person would do this.

1. using or selling(drug related) or 2. Just too lazy to open a new package.

With either he/she should be unemployed and never again have a license.