Risk of infection in multiple users of fingersticks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FDA have noted an increase in reports of bloodborne infection transmission, primarily hepatitis B virus, resulting from the shared use of fingerstick and point-of-care (POC) blood testing devices. Unclear labeling and ineffective cleaning and disinfection instructions may have contributed to these outbreaks.

The infections are occurring in a variety of healthcare settings, but there is a significant increase in outbreaks in long-term care or assisted-living settings.

Fingerstick and POC blood testing devices can be safely used multiple times by a single patient in the home setting, provided that the user follows the label cleaning instructions.