16°c Partly cloudy
22°c Thundershowers
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Students learn results of faulty blood tests
( RUTH BONNEVILLE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES)
Students from Southeast College in Winnipeg will learn today whether they've contracted hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV.
They will begin to get results from tests that were ordered after a University of Manitoba professor drew blood to test 80 aboriginal high school students for diabetes using the same one-use device. The professor had never drawn blood before and was not qualified to do so.
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority will meet individually with those students, beginning today, to tell them if -- unlikely and remote as the possibility is -- they've contracted diseases.
The unnamed professor is a PhD in pediatrics who'd been asked to conduct blood-sugar testing as part of his speech at a diabetes awareness day.
U of M officials insisted the professor was appearing on his own initiative and was not performing university duties or representing the university.
Dr. Michael Routledge, the medical director of public health for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, said the professor used a "finger-poker" to draw blood to test for diabetes.
He replaced the needle each time, said Routledge, but each time failed to replace the pen-like device that holds the needle and through which the drawn blood passes. An individual can use the device repeatedly, but it is not to be used by more than one person, Routledge said.
"The risks are low," Routledge said, but added, "There have been case reports that when you reuse the pen, a small amount of virus can collect."
Dr. Cheryl Greenberg, head of pediatrics and child health at the U of M, said she learned what had happened through casual conversation with the professor and immediately notified Southeast College.
"The professor wasn't aware it wasn't a multi-use device. The finger-poke device, it is being used inappropriately in many domains. People don't appreciate there is that very small risk," Greenberg said.
Greenberg later confirmed "disciplinary action has been taken," although she did not specify what that was.
The university has ordered a review of the incident.
Greenberg said the professor appeared by invitation at Southeast, a residential school for aboriginals run by several First Nations, on diabetes awareness day because he has a research interest in diabetes.
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 12 articles for today)
Beckham's appearance at Chinese university triggers stampede that injures at least 7
5:59 AM 0
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- 'Sopranos' star James Gandolfini dies at 51 while vacationing in Rome
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- Sobey clan to alter city market
- New crowd plan for Taylor Swift get-together
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Kids of St. Ignatius make Sweet gesture to beloved crossing guard
- Young girl found dead on railway tracks
- 'Shocking' half of First Nations kids living in poverty, new study finds
- Young girl found dead on railway tracks
- HSC Home Lottery winners announced
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Winnipeg man given 2-year sentence for coma-inducing 'sucker punch'
- Toronto woman dead in rural Manitoba ATV wreck
- Man convicted of drunk driving in Henderson pile-up
- Portage Ave. stretch re-opens after Friday-night bomb scare
- Kenyan wins Manitoba Marathon
- 'Sopranos' star James Gandolfini dies at 51 while vacationing in Rome
- Young girl found dead on railway tracks
- Hailstorm wreaks havoc on Winnipeg garden centre
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Two Winnipeg teens identified as victims of crash
- HSC Home Lottery winners announced
- Father, daughter seriously injured in ATV crash
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Baked Alaska: Unusual heat wave hits north, with temps topping 80 degrees (26C) in Anchorage
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- New crowd plan for Taylor Swift get-together
- 'Sopranos' star James Gandolfini dies at 51 while vacationing in Rome
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Sobey clan to alter city market
- Accounts and accountability: UK committee says bankers must take more responsibility
- Etienne grabs a clue
- Tory attacks on Trudeau boomerang, raise questions about PMO involvement
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- Sobeys gobbles up Safeway
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Geothermal heat coming to some Manitoba First Nations
- Spiralling cost of land raises new home prices
- Baked Alaska: Unusual heat wave hits north, with temps topping 80 degrees (26C) in Anchorage
- Rogers and MTS announce new network sharing agreement
- $110-K worth of nickel plates stolen from Thompson mine
- Craig Ferguson adds second show
- New owner for lumber stores
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Door openers being used to break into garages, police warn
- Province formally opens Mental Health Crisis Response Centre
- Hailstorm wreaks havoc on Winnipeg garden centre
- New rules let customers cancel phone contracts without penalty after two years
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.