LANSING – In a move to curb medical misconduct and the spread of infectious diseases, the Michigan House of Representatives passed a plan sponsored by State Representative Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City) prohibiting doctors and other regulated health care professionals from reusing needles and other medical equipment intended to be used only once on a single patient during a single procedure.
"We need to be sure that doctors are being held accountable when they knowingly endanger their patients through unsanitary practices," Mayes said. "Our plan will ensure that patients can feel confident knowing that their health care providers are adhering to sanitary medical standards."
The plan, which passed the House unanimously and now heads to the Senate, is in response to a case involving Dr. Robert Stokes, an East Grand Rapids dermatologist, who is serving more than 10 years in prison for widespread medical fraud. The Kent County Health Department sent letters to thousands of his former patients suggesting that they be tested for blood-borne diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, after witnesses testified that Stokes used unsanitary medical practices.
Violating the new provisions of the plan would be a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.