Improper blood screening leaves dozens exposed to risk

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The University of Minnesota says 300 people at a St. Paul apartment may have been exposed to infectious diseases

due to misuse of blood monitoring equipment at screening events.

The university said Thursday volunteers were reusing finger-prick devices on multiple patients that were designed for repeated use only by the same patient.

University medical students and others have conducted blood-sugar screening at the Skyline high-rise apartment since 2010 as part of the SHARE outreach program. The program provides basic health services to immigrant and low-income residents there.

The Star Tribune reports the university wants to test current and former residents for infectious diseases that could have been transmitted by the reused devices.

Blood sugar testing at the apartment complex has been suspended. Volunteers will be trained in proper procedures.