SPECIAL REPORT

Joint Commission: Vial misuse harming thousands of patients

The misuse of single-dose and multiple-dose vials has harmed thousands of patients, in some cases causing bloodborne pathogens including hepatitis B and C, meningitis, and epidural abscesses, The misuse has occurred in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and primarily involves the reuse of single-dose vials, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most of the outbreaks happened in pain management clinics and in cancer clinics. As a result of the misuse of the vials, CDC said 150,000 patients had to be notified and advised to have pathogen testing.

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