The University of Regina, in the prairie province of Saskatchewan admits it made some mistakes.
As part of kinesiology and health studies courses, about 270 students, research participants, and clients of that deparment had blood samples taken to test blood lactate levels.
The tests were done between 2006 and 2012.
The questionable practice involved a re-usable blood tester. The needle of the tester was replaced for each patient, but not the holder, which was swabbed with alcohol and re-used.
The department insists the chance of contracting HIV, or Hepatitis C or B is miniscule, ranging from a one in ten-million chance to contract HIV, and six in a million for Hepatits B.
Nonetheless, the practice has been changed and single-use needles will be used from now on.
The University department only noticed their improper practice in January after another facility, the First Nations University of Canada in Prince Albert, was found to be using outdated protocols.
Since the University of Regina didn’t keep the names of the participants, it’s sending out letters to a possible 645 people who may have been affected to advise them of the situation.
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