Took DS to the Doctors today (sanitary opinions needed please)

[Lynn CC]

He had to get an ingrown toenail removed, this is the second time in the same toe.
I went in with him and noticed something that I thought wasn't sanitary, especially in today's society.

He took an alcohol swipe (there's not a whole lot of alcohol on these things), wiped the clippers (the kind that look like a pair of plyers) proceeded to cut DS's toenail and did some digging. Then wiped the plyers with an alcohol swipe and put them back in the drawer that he got them out of in the first place.
DS's toe was oozing...not to get too detailed, but shouldn't he have sterilized these things. Now I'm nervous. He didn't put down a steri pad or anything.
I didn't notice what he did with the needle after he gave him his 8 shots of Novicaine in his toe. I didn't see any of those containers that you break off the needle in that says Contaminated Material. I think I was so shocked with the clippers that I just didn't notice.
DS is supposed to have a surgical procedure done on his toe next month by this doctor. I'm going to make sure it's done in the Hospital, uder more sanitary conditions...not in his office as he suggested.
What do you think about all this. Is a little swipe with an alcohol swipe enough to sanitize something so you don't catch anything from the previous person? I don't think so.

 

[Lynn CC]

Went back and resubmitted thread...Thanks!

 

[Dixielady908]

I would have his procedure done at a Hospital setting. I work in a physician's office, we do removals and we do sterialize all of the equipment after each use. We have a sterializer in our lab. I cant believe that he just wiped it with the little alcohol swab...I would be a little leary about going back there for any office procedure.

Denise

 

[Kermit]

I'm no professional, but that doesn't sound right. They sanitize combs at the beauty salon better than that.

 

[RayJay]

Lynn

This may sound to simple, but I would of asked those questions right then and there. You may want to call them back and ask em.

RJ

 

[Kimberle]

yikes! I wouldn't even let my manicurist use a clipper that had been "sanitized" like that.

 

[dumboiu]

Call the Health Department.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Alcohol is a modest sanitizer and will kill some bacteria, but sterilizing is more thorough. I wouldn't object if it were my personal implement, but if I was bleeding or oozing I would either wash it in hot soapy water, bleach it, boil it, or dispose of it. With today's technology is it possible that the drawers are a sterilization chamber? Was he wearing latex gloves were performing his work?

 

[lsyorke]

ABSOLUTELY TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!!! And yes I'm shouting!!! Sterilization of all instruments in between patients is the law(or disposables) Alcohol does nothing unless in direct contact with the object for a specified length of time. A wipe is a feel good measure.

Call the Health Department and don't go back to this doctor!!!!

 

[dumboiu]

If it were me, I would get a baseline blood test done. Document the incident both by a report to the Health Department and to the local chapter of the AMA (certified letter). I am not a doctor or an attorney, but in my humble opinion, if what you have said is true, this violates the practice of universal precautions.

 

[Lynn CC]

It wasn't a sanitation drawer, just a regular draw. I would have NEVER let him use this instrument on DS's toe if I thought for one moment that it wasn't sterilized. Maybe he puts it back in the same drawer (as he got it from) and it's cleaned at a later time? Somehow I doubt it
I woke up last night wondering all sorts of things.
I get so shocked by things it takes me a while to compute everything so I'm not much good at saying anything until after the fact. I didn't think that doctors practiced this way in today's day and age.

 

[rbuzzotta]

I would make sure the next proceedure is down as an outpatient in a hospital. I am sure DS will be fine but was wondering, is he up to date on his tetanus? I would definetly make a note of this incident and demand next time the proceedure is down under sterile conditions.............

It doesn't take much to open up a sterile container of instruments..sounds to me like the doctor was just lazy!!

Good luck and I hope all is well.............

 

[MinnieYC]

Was it a podiatrist who did the procedure? I know that they do not have a medical degree (podiatry school is completely separate from medical school), so maybe the legal standards they have to keep are lower than those for medical doctors. Note: I'm not condoning this, I think those conditions sounded very horrible and unfortunate!

But I think you should definitely go with your gut here. Take your DS somewhere else.