A woman in Yorkshire was subjected to HIV and hepatitis testing after a severe medical error at her local GP surgery involved the use of a previously used vaginal swab. The health ombudsman has reported on the incident, highlighting significant lapses in infection-prevention protocols at the facility.
The 40-year-old patient, whose examination in December 2022 at a Batley surgery was supposed to be routine, faced months of anxiety after being informed of the mistake involving the contaminated swab. The error was acknowledged only after the procedure, leading to a stressful and extended wait for the test results, which eventually confirmed she did not contract HIV or hepatitis.
Rebecca Hilsenrath, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) for England, commented on the case, noting, “There is always the possibility for human error in any profession. Fortunately, in this instance, this serious mistake had no medical repercussions.” However, the emotional impact on the patient was significant, as she recounted the distressing period of uncertainty regarding her health.
“I was extremely upset and scared when I found out the swab had already been used and I would need to have tests for HIV and hepatitis,” the patient said. “I was shocked and worried about what this might mean for my health.”
The GP practice involved has since apologized and has been directed by the PHSO to pay the woman £500 in recognition of her distress. Moreover, the ombudsman’s investigation concluded that the practice had failed to sufficiently acknowledge its mistakes at the initial stages.
Following the complaint, the GP surgery has taken corrective steps to ensure such an error does not recur. The practice has reportedly reviewed and strengthened its infection control procedures to adhere strictly to national health safety standards.
This incident has raised concerns about the adequacy of current health and safety protocols in medical practices, prompting calls for more rigorous enforcement of infection-prevention measures across the healthcare system.
