One of the patients was a 15-year-old boy, who will now need to do follow-up testing to ensure he is disease-free for the next six months, per his parents
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NEED TO KNOW
- A hospital in the U.K. treated 21 patients, including a 15-year-old boy, with unsterilized surgical instruments
- Patients were not informed of the mistake for three weeks, despite the fact that they may have been exposed to bloodborne pathogens like HIV or hepatitis
- A spokesperson for the hospital said that the hospital is “truly sorry” and that an investigation is being conducted into the matter
A hospital in the United Kingdom treated 21 patients with unsterilized surgical instruments — and patients were not informed of the error for three weeks.
The incident occurred at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, Wales, according to the BBC.
The instruments were disinfected but not medically sterilized — as is typical medical protocol — on Feb. 24, per the outlet. Those instruments were then used in operations and exams that took place on Feb. 25 and Feb. 26.
While the error was discovered by hospital staff on Feb. 27, affected patients were not informed of the mistake until March 16, per the BBC.
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Improperly sterilized surgical tools can spread bloodborne diseases like HIV and hepatitis.
In a statement obtained by the BBC from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, the organization that manages Royal Gwent Hospital, a spokesperson said the situation is being investigated.
The spokesperson also said that they have arranged for "precautionary testing” for all affected patients, and that “the clinical risk of bloodborne virus exposure is extremely low.”
"We fully recognize the concern and distress this may cause, and we are truly sorry. The well-being of our patients is our highest priority, and we are taking all necessary actions to understand how this happened and to prevent it from occurring again,” the board's statement continued.
They additionally stated that “this was a very limited incident” and that “there is no wider cause for concern.”
The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
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Lee and Karen Williams, parents of a 15-year-old boy affected by the error, said they are outraged over the hospital's failure to promptly communicate the situation to patients and their families.
"They knew about this weeks ago, and we feel they tried to cover it up," Lee, 47, said while speaking to WalesOnline.
"I couldn't process it," Karen added, recalling the moment they were informed of the mistake via a phone call with a representative from the hospital. "I was thinking, 'How do I tell [my son] this?' This is not something a 15-year-old should have to worry about."
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They said that their son now must go back and forth to the hospital for the next six months to 100% confirm that he was not infected with a bloodborne pathogen.
The parents also pointed out that the delay in information means that patients could potentially have unknowingly spread bloodborne pathogens to others.
"Human error happens, but this is about transparency, and saying, 'We've made this mistake and we own it,’ ” Lee told WalesOnline.
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