Unsafe Injection Practices Affected 150,000 Patients in U.S. Healthcare

More than 150,000 patients experienced harm due to unsafe injection practices within U.S. healthcare facilities, beginning in 2001. Analysts attributed the incidents to breakdowns in basic infection control procedures.

Specifically, healthcare providers reused needles and syringes. They also administered single-dose medication vials to multiple patients. Standard medical protocols designate these items for individual use only.