Even prior to the 1950’s, hepatitis transmissions were associated with diabetic treatments, transfusions, syringes, lancets, and the use of multi-dose vials. It’s taken decades for the CDC (and WHO) to get the message out but in the United States, the CDC’s One and Only One campaign is in full swing.  We owe it those who have died and will die from blood-borne pathogens from well-meaning invasive medical procedures, as simple as a diabetic pen, to get this information out.  

If you watch this training video or read the transcript designed for health care providers you will learn how this massive PAST harm was entirely preventable. 

CLICK ANY SLIDE IMAGE TO GO TO THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE or view on the campaigns website here: (LINK)

Slide 12 Around 12 minutes into video. Animation!!! Image: CDC

We can see in the map below that bacterial injections are also a major concern but HCV seems to be the major focus of the presentation. The CDC does not include the Minot (ND) HCV outbreak among 51 patients and others where the cause is still being investigated. Nor does it include the CDC report on the jet injector transmission of HBV (MMWR June 13, 1986 / 35(23);373-6).

“Wearing gloves and taking other infection control precautions aren’t just for your protection. The SIPC created this training to remind healthcare providers that the measures they take to protect themselves from bloodborne pathogens and other infection exposures, as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), also protect patients from healthcare associated infections. Injection safety and other basic infection prevention and control practices are central to patient and healthcare provider safety.” Image: CDC

Other highlights in the 20-minute training.  At about 5 minutes: Contaminated equipment info.  At about 6:13:  Viral hepatitis from unsafe injection practices.  At about 7:20 minutes: Drug diversion and HCV.  Exeter, NH case which we’ve covered on ASKNOD, is discussed.  At about 11 minutes, safer delivery designs are discussed;  about 12 minutes, blood back flow into multi-vials/ HCV contamination animation.  At conclusion, footnotes are given.

The training was published on YouTube in Dec. 2012 but has been viewed by under 9,000 people.

As mentioned, the use of multi-dose vials on jet injectors are not addressed but the concept is the same.  I predict that it will take private non-governmental funding to study the jet injectors which were in widespread use in the United States until our government withdrew their use after they recognized their threat to human health.