Clinic Exposes 53 to HIV, Hepatitis

A clinic in Australia used a single-use needle on 53 patients, possibly exposing them to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

The private radiology clinic on the New South Wales central coast was administering blood tests using a Accu-Chek Multiclix device on people being treated for cancer, according to The Australian. In December the clinic started using the device, which fires a spring-loaded needle into a finger tip, drawing a drop of blood to check glucose levels.

Administrators for PRP Diagnostic Imaging said Wednesday that they discovered the possible contamination two weeks ago and have since contacted their patients.