A disinfection error involving a surgical instrument at Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus has led to HIV testing for about 40 patients in Quebec. The error occurred because a screwdriver was improperly disinfected and used in surgeries since 2017.
The CHU de Québec has reached out to patients who underwent neurological surgeries over the past nine years. Health officials have assessed the contamination risk as low, according to infectious disease specialists.
The affected patients are being contacted for blood screening. Jean-Thomas Grantham, a representative of the hospital, stated, “We realized recently that a very specialized screwdriver had a part that could be disassembled at the handle.” He added, “We are not taking any chances; we have called the patients and prescribed blood tests.”
An investigation is currently underway to understand the disinfection errors. Grantham expressed regret for any anxiety caused by the situation, emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to patient safety.
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