You can't be routine about infection control. You should be very vigilant. Ms Walton is also concerned about whether equipment is tested adequately, especially endoscopes. The biggest problem is to ensure scopes are properly sterilized. We now have reports of infection being transmitted from unclean endoscopes.
New technology is often difficult to clean.
Her comments follow revelations that 11 patients were tested for HIV and hepatitis at Cooma Hospital after a colonoscope was not properly cleaned. Less than a week later, more than 200 women were also tested for the blood-borne viruses after a health worker was revealed to have HIV and hepatitis. We really need to take a breather. Ms Walton urges patients to demand more information from their health workers. The public is entitled to know the policy of the hospital in terms of its infection control.