Possible unsafe practices found at W.Va. clinic, Ohio patients advised to be tested

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Ohio health officials are advising Ohio patients of a clinic in West Virginia to be tested for some infectious diseases.

The Ohio Department of Health said Monday that an investigation by West Virginia health officials found possible unsafe injection practices at Valley Pain Management in McMechen (muhk-MAY'-kuhn).

The Ohio agency says in a news release that patients potentially were exposed to infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

According to the Ohio agency, the West Virginia investigation found that the clinic re-used needles and syringes. The investigation also found that the same pain medication vial was used for multiple patients.

The clinic and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources' communications office didn't immediately return telephone messages Monday.