Students Share A Lancet

[meloneyb21]

SALINA, Kan. - A high school science teacher was suspended for allowing students to use the same instrument to draw blood from their fingers as part of a class project, district officials said Tuesday.

About 50 juniors and seniors in two science classes at Salina High School South used the same lancet, or small pin, to prick their fingers on Monday, said Carol Pitts, spokeswoman for the Salina school district.

The science teacher, who was not identified, was suspended with pay during an investigation, Pitts said.

Pitts said there was additional concern that some of the students may have come in contact with blood when they washed the science experiment slides. She said it was unclear what experiment the classes were doing, but they may have been checking blood glucose levels.

She said the district was taking steps to ensure that the students were tested for diseases such as HIV — the virus that causes AIDS — and hepatitis, both of which can be spread by using a shared instrument to draw blood. The district was working with Saline County Health Department to establish testing procedures for the students.

"This is minimal risk," said Yvonne Gibbons, director of the health department. "I don't think there is any reason to panic, but we're cautioning the school to take the best possible course they can, and that would be to have the kids tested."

The high school has about 1,100 students.

 

[mickeyboat]

That is unfreakingbelievable.

Denae

 

[my3kids]

How could a science teacher have not known such a basic rule??? Unbelievable! I would be livid.

 

[Princess89]

We had to do something similar in HS (a long time ago), the teacher wanted the entire group to use the same pin to prick their fingers. I about lost it, and refused unless I was given a clean one that I was able to wash and disinfect myself. The students would know just as much as the teacher, and could have and should have spoken up. My experience was in the early 90's this is 2006 and HIV awareness is an even bigger deal now than it was then.

But definite shame on the teacher for putting those children in harm.