Health officials: WV clinic reused needles; patients there, Ohio urged to be tested

Health officials on Monday advised patients of a West Virginia pain management clinic to be tested for blood-borne infectious diseases after an investigation found that needles had been reused. The investigation by West Virginia health officials found that, prior to November 2013, needles and syringes were reused at Valley Pain Management in McMechen to administer pain medications and saline solutions. They said the same pain medication vial was used for more than one patient. These injection practices potentially exposed patients to diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, according to health department officials in West Virginia and Ohio. Health officials urged patients from both states to be tested.