Health Service Executive sued in action by needlestuck porter

A hospital porter who was pricked by a used syringe at University Hospital Limerick was unable to enjoy “the privileges of marriage” for a year after the incident, his barrister has told Limerick Circuit Court.

Tests to see whether the man – who is suing the Health Service Executive (HSE) Ireland for negligence – had contracted hepatitis or HIV had taken 12 months to finalise, said Donal O’Rourke BL, and this had “brought about certain restrictions in his private life”.

The porter was removing a waste bag when a needle had pierced him in the left arm.

“It was a used needle and this meant that he had to go through the various tests required to see if he had contracted any such diseases such as hepatitis A or HIV,” Mr O’Rourke said.

Tests proved negative but, Mr O’Rourke said, it had taken “12 months to bring them to finality”, a period during which his client – a married man – had “certain restrictions” imposed on his private life.

The basis of Mr Kelly’s claim for negligence related to the alleged failure of the HSE to have a safe system in place for the storage and disposal of used needles; failing to provide protective equipment and other matters.

Quite right too. Needles must never be discarded into waste sacks intended only for soft wastes. That is a matter for basic training and would be a serious disciplinary matter if the culprit could even be identified.

Waste audit might identify more widespread deficiencies in waste management safety precautions, but it is, literally, looking for a needle in a waste sack and the best determinant is regrettable the number of injuries caused. By that time, it’s too late.

http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local-news/hse-sued-in-needle-action-by-pricked-porter-1-5334762

 

 

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