Dental clinic sorry for infection (感染) scare

The University of Hong Kong has apologized to 250 students, teachers and their families treated with dental equipment not properly sterilized (消毒) for four days in row (note1).

 

University Council chairman Leong Che-hung said failing to (note 2) sterilize medical instruments is a serious matter (note 3) and he hopes the dental clinic will learn its lesson (note 4) and prevent similar incidents from happening again.

 

According to reports, some medical instruments at the HKU Health Service (Dental Unit) were not properly sterilized from October 30 to November 2.

 

The dental clinic has since been in touch with (note 5) 230 to 350 patients to be tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C.

 

About 100 tests have already been conducted but results will not be known for a few days. “I can’t tell if the patients are victims (受害者), but even it they are not infected, they will be worried. I think we should apologize to them,” Leong said.

 

University vice chancellor Tsui Lap-chee said special group has been set up to investigate the blunder (大錯).

 

Tsui said the chances of patients being infected are low as the instruments had undergone three sterilization processes and the fourth and final process, which was not performed, is the high-pressure high-temperature programme.

 

“It is said that the sterilization process was problematic, but they have followed the entire washing process,” said Ko, adding that the Centre for Health Protection is following up on the issue.

 

HKU Students’ Union president Dan Chan Koon-hong said yesterday the immediate blood tests may not reflect whether the patients are infected as it takes four to six weeks for a person infected with hepatitis B to test positive and up to three months for those infected with HIV.

 

 

(note 1) Four days in a row=連續4天。e.g. Mi Mi has been absent for four days in row. Everyone is worrying about him.

 

(note 2) Failing to=沒有做到。e.g. Although he had spent $400 in the new anti-flu pills, the pills failed to ease his symptoms.

I fail to see=我弄不懂

Words failed me at the last minute=到最後的時候我說不出話來了。

 

(note 3) Serious matter=嚴重事故。e.g. Chemicals, Bunsen burner or any apparatus in the lab are serious matters. Callousness will lead to accidents, injuries, or in the worst case, death.

Serious 的同義詞有 grave, stern, grim, severe

 

(note 4) learn its lesson=受過教訓

 

(note 5) in touch with=接觸 (contact)