Mandatory testing: not just an academic discussion

For me, Robert Colistro's recent comments on the testing of medical students for hepatitis B¹ are not part of an academic discussion. As an anesthetist, I risk pricking myself with a dirty needle at least 10 to 20 times per day. In spite of good technique, I have had many accidents — this is an occupational hazard that I have had to accept. I know I am negative for HIV because I am tested regularly, so I am not concerned with being forced to be tested. However, I feel that it is only fair that if medical students and physicians are forced to be tested then all patients admitted to hospital must also be screened.

In the past, patients were screened for sexually transmitted diseases without question or consent. What makes hepatitis B and HIV different? If you wish to violate medical students' rights, why not do it to patients too?

The term universal precautions is just the politically correct way to avoid forcing patients to be tested. We should have the right to know and protect ourselves.

I know that ethics specialists will not agree with me, but then they probably don't have anyone's blood on them at the end of the day.

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Linda Ann Robinson
Department of Anesthesia Ottawa Hospital Ottawa, Ont.