A malfunction in a specialised washing machine at Slagelse Hospital may at worst have infected 719 patients with the HIV virus or hepatitis, according to DR Sjælland.

The malfunction has meant that probes used in gastro-enterological surgery have not been washed properly, and can have infected patients in the nine months up to March in which the flushing system malfunctioned.

Slagelse Sygehus Chief Surgeon Ole Bendtsen says that the risk of infection is minimal, but that all of those who could be affected have been offered an examination. He added that as soon as the malfunction was discovered, piping was replaced.

The incident was reported to the health inspectors who required direct information sent to all 719 patients who have had the probes in their bodies.

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