Contaminated Needles
Some medications and vaccines are best administered through needles. These needles may be intravenous or attached to syringes. Regardless of what type of needle is used, it should always be discarded immediately after use because it comes in direct contact with an individual’s bloodstream.
Unfortunately, some needles are errantly reused, which may result in serious infections. If you or someone you love caught an infection after a medical professional used a contaminated needle on you, contact the Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 610-667-7511.
How Re-Usage Occurs
A contaminated needle is any needle that has been previously used to administer medication to or draw blood from a patient. Since the blood can be a breeding ground for certain infections and diseases, needles should never be reused. This helps prevent the spread of blood-borne illnesses.
Sadly, needles may be reused when medical professionals:
- Fail to discard used needles
- Misplace used needles
- Accidentally poke patients with used needles
Each of these actions may put patients at a greater risk for contracting blood-borne illnesses, which include HIV and hepatitis. These conditions may be manageable with medication, but they cannot be cured. As such, victims of re-used needles may be entitled to financial compensation.
Contact Us
The Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., believe that you should fight to hold your medical practitioner accountable if you suffered an infection from a contaminated needle while receiving medical care. Contact us today at 610-667-7511 for more information.