Authorities knew of blood contamination scandal for weeks
Health authorities and the Andrews government were aware but did not publicly acknowledge for six weeks that blood glucose testing devices had been used on multiple hotel quarantine guests putting hundreds at risk of blood contamination.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Health authorities and the Andrews government knew of blood contamination risks for hundreds of hotel quarantine guests for almost six weeks before publicly acknowledging the scandal.
As more than 240 former quarantine guests face being tested for HIV and other blood borne viruses, some say the news has added to trauma they were already experiencing following their forced stay.
As revealed by the Herald Sun on Monday, Safer Care Victoria has launched an investigation after it emerged quarantine hotel medical blood glucose testing devices intended only for use on a single patient on multiple guests during their mandatory isolation periods.
A Melbourne man in his 50s — who asked not to be identified — said he was contacted by Department of Health officials and informed he had a .3 per cent chance of having contracted a virus such as HIV or hepatitis B and C due to repeated finger prick tests while quarantining in a city hotel.
The man, who is diabetic but did not have his own monitor, said he developed severe anxiety during his quarantine stay which still caused a “crisis” in his life and work.
“This is the icing on the cake. It’s sent me into a spiral of despair and anxiety,” the man told the Herald Sun.
“I got told on Monday, I won’t be tested until Friday and then I have to wait for the result which is amazing stress.
“I’m angry. Quarantine in Victoria literally couldn’t be more of a stuff up if they tried. I now have to consider I might have it (HIV).”
It emerged on Tuesday that an Alfred Hospital nurse raised the alarm over “clinical errors” in late August while working in the hotel program and noticing the inappropriate use of blood glucose testing devices.
Health Minister Martin Foley said Safer Care Victoria and The Alfred began investigating the issue immediately, but had to sift through 28,000 medical records before they could begin identifying and contacting those at risk of contamination.
“There is no evidence of anyone picking up any bloodborne virus from this,” Mr Foley said.
“There is no prospect of coronavirus being shared by this. Coronavirus is not a bloodborne virus.”
Of the 243 residents identified as being at risk of cross contamination, Mr Foley said 141 had so far been contacted, including 79 who have taken up blood tests for potential diseases.
“Failures like this incident are something that is very regrettable,” Mr Foley said.
“All the advice is that this is a low risk issue. But, a low risk is still a risk and out of an abundance of caution The Alfred and Safer Care Victoria are taking every measure to make sure that those 243 residents are supported and given the opportunity for further screening.”
MORE NEWS
NEW CASE MAY BE REINFECTION, ANDREWS HINTS AT EASING
BRETT SUTTON EXPOSED IN EMAIL CHAIN