Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Los Angeles Times (LT) - SATURDAY September 16, 1989 Edition: Valley Edition Section: Metro Page: 10 Pt. 2 Col. 5 Word Count: 560
Michael Connelly; Times Staff Writer
ICS Home Health Services was cited Thursday by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services for three violations of the California Code of Regulations. An Igloo cooler containing six vials of blood was left unsecured Sept. 8 and was stolen.
The blood samples--from patients diagnosed as carrying the HIV virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome--have not been found. Police believe they were probably dumped by the thief who only wanted the six-pack-size cooler.
Lacked Policy, Charge Says
Victor Arkin, assistant chief of the county's health facilities division, said two of the ICS citations were issued because the company did not have policies regarding the handling of hazardous laboratory specimens and the third was because the blood samples were left unsecured.
"The conduct of the licensee was inimical to the public health, welfare and safety of the community," the complaint filed by Arkin's office says.
Arkin said ICS, in the 14900 block of Oxnard Street, must correct the problems in 10 days or its state license to operate as a home health-care facility could be revoked.
ICS spokesman Jeff Drezner said the company is cooperating with health authorities but declined further comment.
According to Los Angeles police, the vials of blood were left in the cooler outside the front door of ICS on a Friday evening and were to be picked up after-hours by a courier and taken to a laboratory for AIDS testing.
A device used to lock the cooler to the door was inoperable, police said. A box of blood cultures in plastic bags was also left at the door but was not taken. Police said the cooler was taken sometime last weekend.
When ICS employees returned Monday they checked with the laboratory and learned the blood vials in the cooler had not been delivered and were apparently stolen.
A county health expert warned Friday that even after a week of exposure the blood could be dangerous.
"I think it would still be a hazard," said Dr. Martin Finn, medical director of the Department of Health Services' AIDS program office. "Drying and temperature changes would have their effects on the blood, but . . . it certainly could still be infectious."
Few Regulations Apply
Arkin said ICS was cited under state administrative codes because authorities found no health regulations that govern the handling and transportation of blood products. He said his agency will ask the state attorney general's office to search for regulations that could be applied to the ICS situation.
Health authorities said it is standard practice for medical offices to leave specimens outside for courier pickup. However, authorities said it is unknown whether it is common for AIDS-tainted blood to be left similarly untended.
"If this is going on across the board, everywhere, then this incident has a wide implication," said Ralph Lopez, deputy director of licensing for the county health department.
Lopez and others said legislation is needed to regulate the handling and transportation of AIDS-tainted blood from health facilities to the labs they contract with.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs called for an investigation into the regulations and handling of hazardous and contagious materials.
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