Investigations Expected Following Long Island Health Scare
New York, NY —
With more than 600 patients of one Long Island doctor being told they may have been exposed to hepatitis C and HIV, a state senator from Brooklyn wants to stop health care workers from using so-called multi-dose medicine vials, which figured in the health scare.
REPORTER: Senator Eric Adams wants to require single-dose vials, which are less susceptible to contamination. State officials say Dr. Harvey Finkelstein infected at least two patients with hepatitis C by reinserting used syringes into drug vials. State Senate Health Committee chairman Kemp Hannon says he plans to hold hearings next month to review delays in the state's response:
HANNON: For people who might have been patients of Dr. Finkelstein and have not been notified through the measures set forth by the state.
REPORTER: The NYPD says 23 city police officers were treated by Doctor Finkelstein. Officials say the officers' risk of contracting the diseases is "very low," but the department is advising them to get tested.
Dr. Finkelstein says he's stopped the dangerous technique.
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