A nurse at Sterkfontein mental hospital has been suspended for allegedly using the same needle on several patients, an action that could spread the HI virus.
The Gauteng health department said on Tuesday the senior nurse was conducting routine glucose needle-prick tests on patients at the hospital in Krugersdorp last Wednesday.
Departmental spokesperson Popo Maja said the nurse’s actions were not in accordance with the normal practice.
”The management of the hospital immediately conducted an investigation upon receiving information and suspended the nurse immediately.”
The affected patients were tested for HIV and provided with anti-retroviral drugs as a precaution to protect them from being infected by the Aids virus.
Maja said the department has put together a team of senior officials and mental health specialists to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case.
”The team will also interview staff members who were on duty when the incident happened.”
Maja said the department views the nurse’s alleged conduct in a very serious light and supports the hospital’s action.
”Appropriate action will be taken against the nurse pending the outcome of the investigation,” he said. — Sapa