Potential Malpractice at Nassau University Medical Center for Reused Insulin Pens

Nassau University Medical Center is concerned over possible reuse of insulin pens and stated that it will be sending letters to as many as 185 diabetes patients who might be victims of such medical malpractice.

The letters urge patients to get tested for hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV. The hospital said it was still not clear whether an insulin pen—a pre-filled syringe meant to be used in a single patient to dispense insulin—was used in more than one patient and Dr. Steven Walerstein, the hospital’s medical director, said there were no reports of any resulting infection.

Arthur Gianelli, NUMC’s chief executive, said nurses reported hearing about a possible syringe reuse and NUMC opted to err on the side of caution. NUMC stated it removed all insulin pens and notified the state Department of Health, which was on-site investigating the potential problem.

According to Walerstein and other hospital officials, a nurse on the medical intensive care unit reported a suspicion—about a month ago—that insulin from one patient’s insulin pen was withdrawn into another patient’s syringe. When interviewed, all the nurses said they knew of no such practice. The hospital’s quality control team interviewed nurses on other floors and some admitted to having heard of the practice; however, none had direct knowledge of pens reused in multiple patients.

When syringe pens are reused, it is possible for drops of blood containing viruses to be transmitted from one patient to another via the insulin pen’s syringe. Walerstein said there were no reports that had occurred. After attaching a needle, the user adjusts the proper dose on a dial and then pushes the plunger to inject the medicine. Each cartridge typically holds a 28-day supply of insulin before it is discarded; needles are disposed following each use.

In November, the state health department announced Dix Hills Doctor, Dr. Harvey Finkelstein, infected at least one patient three years earlier when he delivered medication using shoddy techniques and a multidose vials. Earlier this year, Dr. E. Jacob Simhaee, a Manhasset-based obstetrician-gynecologist admitted to reusing syringes when administering flu shots to at least 36 patients last fall. The state initiated its investigation of Simhaee’s practice in December following a complaint filed with the Nassau County Department of Health.

If you have been injured due to hospital malpractice, contact Weitz & Luxenberg for information.

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