A nurse practitioner in a dermatology unit at St. Paul, Minn.-based Allina Health Bandana Square Clinic is accused of reusing syringes on 161 patients, reports the Pioneer Press.
While the nurse practitioner never reused a needle, the nurse did reuse the syringes, sometimes multiple times. According to the report, the nurse practitioner's behavior began in October 2017 and continued through February until other medical personnel at the clinic reported the problem.
Allina Health has contacted the 161 patients involved to explain the incident and recommend HIV and hepatitis testing. Allina Health is offering the HIV and hepatitis tests free of charge, out of an abundance of caution.
"While the risk of infection is very low, we understand that this is upsetting and concerning to these patients and families," Allina Health said in a prepared statement, according to the Pioneer Press. "We will learn from this incident and are taking action consistent with our commitment to patient safety."
The nurse practitioner, who was not identified, has since been terminated. It is unclear why the nurse practitioner did not follow care protocol.