Réseau ACCESS Network says up to 40 people could have been exposed to bloodborne infections who requested individual single-use needles.
The network’s executive director, Heide Eisenhauer, says the exposure occurred between July 1st, 2022 and January 13th, 2023 at 111 Larch Street in Sudbury.
She says the agency, which distributes harm reduction supplies to people who use drugs, discovered the risk when a staff member found new and used equipment in a labelled clear container of individual single-use needles in the harm reduction room.
Eisenhauer adds the network has taken immediate action to inform anyone who has potentially been exposed to be tested.
She adds to prevent this kind of situation from occurring again, the agency has halted the distribution of individual needles until sterile, pre-packaged individual needles are available and have also reviewed best practices with all staff members.