Medical review underway after needle reuse allegation in Hangzhou

A clinic in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, is facing scrutiny for reportedly reusing blood sampling needles during a community blood glucose testing, the local health bureau announced via their official WeChat account on Friday evening.

The incident is alleged to have occurred on April 10, when a Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic offered free blood glucose testing in a residential area in Binjiang district, Hangzhou. During the session, residents raised concerns after noticing that a member of staff was not following the "one needle, one person" protocol, sparking fears of potential infectious disease transmission.

In response, the Binjiang district health bureau dispatched personnel to investigate. They discovered that the worker conducting the blood sampling lacked the necessary professional qualifications and violated standard procedures by reusing disposable needles.

That evening, the bureau, in collaboration with the local community and property management, identified all individuals who participated in the testing. The following day, these individuals underwent specialized testing for blood-borne diseases at a provincial medical institution, with all results being negative.

The clinic is now under a formal investigation for employing unqualified personnel and reusing medical equipment — actions that breach health regulations. It has been issued a warning, fined, ordered to rectify its practices and cease operations for rectification.

Police investigations revealed no malicious intent by the staff involved, attributing the incident to a lack of medical knowledge. The clinic has since terminated the employment of the individual.

Further actions will be determined based on further monitoring results. To strengthen regulatory oversight and uphold medical safety standards, a comprehensive review of medical services is underway within the district.