2nd NY hospital warns of potential pen infection

(AP) 2nd NY hospital warns of potential pen infection
OLEAN, N.Y.
A second western New York hospital is notifying patients that they may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C through the improper sharing of insulin pens.

Olean (OH’-lee-an) General Hospital says Thursday that it’s mailing letters to 1,915 patients who received insulin at the hospital from November 2009 through last week.

Hospital officials say the action follows an internal review conducted after recent news reports brought the issue of insulin pen-sharing to light. Last week, the Veterans Affairs hospital in Buffalo said more than 700 patients may have been exposed to blood-borne pathogens over a two-year period when multi-use pens intended for use by a single patient may have been used on more than one person.

The Olean hospital is recommending blood screening.