Patient causes mercury spill; doctor’s office closes
OSHA Healthcare Connection, September 25, 2007
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A patient with roving fingers apparently caused a mercury spill closing a North Port, FL, physician's office.
While waiting in the exam room of Dr. Eric Reinstema, an adult patient was manipulating a wall-mounted blood pressure device and released a small amount of mercury onto the floor, reports the September 22 Charlotte (FL) Sun Herald.
When the spill was discovered the next day, a fire and rescue services team responded to the scene. They found no evidence of anyone being exposed to the mercury but ordered the office closed until a private mercury abatement contractor could clean up the spill and air out the office with fans over the weekend, according to the report.
"I thought those things were all sealed," Reinstema told the Sun Herald, "but this was an older item. He was able to hit some button or lever and released mercury."
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