NEW JERSEY — A New Jersey nurse accused of administering flu shots using reused syringes to 67 patients at a pharmaceutical company voluntarily surrendered her license, New Jersey officials said.
The state Attorney General’s office said the nurse’s license is temporarily suspended and she isn’t allowed to practice pending a further ruling from the state’s board of nursing.
The board said in a consent order that it was informed the nurse “administered an inadequate amount of the flu vaccine” to patients at Otsuka Pharmaceutical in West Windsor using two single-use syringes. If proven, the board said the allegations would demonstrate that she engaged in acts of gross negligence, malpractice or incompetence.
“Such conduct evidences that (the nurse) is a clear and imminent danger to the public warranting a temporary suspension of her license to practice nursing in the state,” the order states.
There is a low risk of infection and syringes that hold the vaccine — not needles — were reused, the state Department of Health said. But state and local health officials, as well as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are recommending testing for hepatitis B and C and HIV, which can spread via blood.
The incidents happened on Sept. 30 when the TotalWellness contractor administered vaccines to 67 workers, officials said.
TotalWellness said the nurse was an independent contractor and that the company is working with officials to notify patients and provide resources for potential medical risks. Health officials recommended testing for hepatitis B and C and HIV.
“We take full responsibility for this incident and are working diligently with the New Jersey Department of Health to resolve this matter as swiftly as possible,” TotalWellness president and founder Alan Kohll said in a statement. “Our sincerest apologies go out to all those affected by this terrible event.”
The Associated Press is not identifying the nurse because she has not been charged with a crime.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical said in a statement it was alarmed by the incident and that employee health is its top concern.
