Since 2014, employees of the Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven have performed dental cleaning on 649 patients using instruments that did not comply with the applicable hygiene guidelines. Hospital announced on Tuesday.
During dental cleaning, the gums may bleed, causing viruses that are transferable through the blood to end up on the instrument. If the hygiene guidelines are not observed, there is a very small chance that the viruses will be transferred to the next patient.
Patients who were treated with the instrument after Monday January 27, 2014, a so-called ultrasonic tip, are therefore offered a preventive blood test from the hospital. This involves testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. All patients have received a letter about this. If patients are found to be infected with one of the viruses, they will be further treated by a medical specialist.
“We understand that this call leads to discomfort for patients. We have therefore apologized,” said a spokesperson for the hospital.
The dental hygiene treatments are no longer performed at the Catharina Hospital.
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