A GP who reused single-use implements despite nurses’ complaints has been suspended for three months, according to a report in the BMJ.
The BMJ reports that Sikander Arshad rinsed the equipment he had used to extract a patient’s contraceptive coil and then used it to remove a coil from another patient. "When challenged by a nurse, he told her that that part of the body was not sterile anyway, so there was no need for sterile instruments," it said.
"On another occasion Arshad said to a nurse that he could use forceps from a drawer rather than a sterile pack to extract a patient’s coil. He also reused single-use sponge holders when removing coils and cauterisation equipment in minor operations," it added.
Arshad admitted all of the General Medical Council’s allegations against him. No patient harm had resulted from his actions, but he admitted exposing patients to infection risk. He told the medical practitioners tribunal he had since come to a better understanding of infection control while taking numerous courses to remedy his errors and improve his skills.
Laura Paul, chairing the tribunal, said testimonials from colleagues showed that the misconduct was “out of character” for Dr Arshad.
He has shown insight, engaged with mentoring and undertaken significant continuing professional development to address his clinical failings, she said. Given these facts, the tribunal was “satisfied that Dr Arshad should be given the opportunity to practise medicine in the future”, she stated.
