(SF)

NEW YORK -- New York health officials said about 630 patients of a Long Island physician who reused vials may be at risk for HIV and hepatitis B and C.

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi identified the doctor in the investigation as Harvey S. Finkelstein. Suozzi said that despite the New York State Health Department's refusal to name the doctor, "the public has a right to know."

Health Warning After L.I. Doctor Reuses Vials


Finkelstein, an anesthesiologist, has not been found guilty of any violations. He is, however, subject to three years of state and county "monitoring" as a result of the state investigation.

It was initially reported that the doctor was reusing needles and syringes, but it turned out that he was actually reusing vials that he attached to needles, officials said.

The danger in reusing vials lies in drawing blood when an injection is made. Some of the patient's blood can flow into the vial, and then be injected into another patient if the vial is reused.

At least two of the patients of the unidentified Nassau County physician have already contracted hepatitis C, an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus, officials said.

The officials said Tuesday that the at-risk patients were notified by letters sent in the mail last week after a three-year investigation was concluded.

The vials were reused between 2000 and 2005, officials said.

Officials have known about the two hepatitis C infections for about 18 months.

Prior to the identification of Finkelstein, state health department spokeswoman Claudia Hutton said the he could not be identified because of rules set by the state's disciplinary board for doctors.

__________________
Put me on wheels and I'll turn tricks.

Clever? Nah, I ran out of that years ago. But if you find this, let me know, k?
"The road goes ever on..." ~ Tolkien

In memory of my friend skip...
Go then, there are other worlds than these