Nurse re-uses IV supplies

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 14 (UPI) -- A Florida hospital is offering to test patients who may have been exposed to blood-borne diseases because of re-used supplies, hospital officials say.

Broward General Medical Center says an estimated 1,851 patients who underwent chemical stress tests for their hearts were treated by a nurse who admitted re-using IV bags and tubing, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

The hospital disclosed Tuesday that 254 patients have been tested so far and some have tested positive for infectious diseases.

Hospital spokeswoman Cathy Meyer would not disclose the number of positive results saying it was "too preliminary."

Meyer says at this point it is not known whether the patients were infected previously or because of the nurse's unsafe practices.

"It's too soon to tell what caused the infections," Meyer said.

Fort Lauderdale police are conducting a criminal investigation of the nurse, Qui Lan.