More than 100 patients from the Saint-Vincent hospital located in Antwerp have been recalled due to a potential problem with the disinfection of endoscopy equipment. For those who don’t know, these are rubber hoses used when examining the stomach, intestines, lungs, or when screening the colon.
The error was reportedly revealed last October through a quality check. The medical equipment would not have been optimally disinfected and potential blood residues could therefore still be present. As a result, diseases like hepatitis B, C or in the worst case HIV could have been transmitted. If the risk is very low, the hospital has played the card of caution and contacted all affected patients, inviting them to have a free blood test.
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