By ANGELA GREGORY
WHANGAREI – An independent panel of experts will investigate procedures used at Whangarei Area Hospital by a former anaesthetist who has been stood down from duties in Melbourne for re-using syringes.
The anaesthetist, Dr Annesley Perera, worked at Whangarei Hospital for 10 years until about five weeks ago.
He had also worked in private practice at a city medical centre, Primecare, and Mercy Hospital at Onerahi.
After a fortnight's work at two Melbourne hospitals, Dr Perera was withdrawn from his duties when it was discovered he was re-using plastic syringes to administer anaesthetic.
It appeared he did not realise the one-way valve syringes minimised, but did not eliminate, the risk of a backflow of blood.
Dr Perera's three former Whangarei workplaces are urgently reviewing past and present procedures, but have confirmed that they do not use the type of valve involved.
They have been told to file reports on their anaesthetic procedures to the Ministry of Health, which is reminding all New Zealand hospitals that syringes should never be reused. Thirty Australian patients have been screened for diseases including HIV and hepatitis B. So far, 12 have returned negative tests.
Australian newspapers said Dr Perera was devastated by the situation.
A spokesman for Northland Health, Luke Worth, said a panel of national and international experts would be set up in Whangarei within days to prepare a report by the end of next week.
The members would include a top-ranking overseas anaesthetist and a microbiologist.
Mr Worth said patient welfare was the hospital's primary concern. Hospital staff who had worked closely with Dr Perera had not noticed anything amiss.
Mr Worth confirmed that Dr Perera was involved in the treatment of a 14-year-old girl who died from meningitis at the hospital last year.
The case was being investigated by the Health and Disability Commissioner, but Mr Worth said it was wrong to draw links to the Australian scare.
The Herald understands that the commissioner's investigation will involve the performance of at least two medical staff.
The girl's family did not want to comment yesterday.
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