New Hampshire father and son claim hospital may have mistakenly exposed them to HIV

The family of an 85-year-old New Hampshire man said a hospital may have mistakenly exposed him to HIV after pricking him with an insulin pen previously used on a patient with the virus.

Eugene Devoyd visited the New Hampshire Medical Center in November for issues related to his diabetes when he was injected with the same insulin pen used on an HIV-positive patient, according to medical records obtained by WMUR.


A nurse did change the needle attached to the pen before administering the treatment to Devoyd, according to the documents.

His son, Chris Devoyd, said a doctor admitted to the error and put his father on medication the same day to prevent a possible HIV infection.

He told the news station he's also concerned for his own health, given he pricked himself with the needle while checking his father's low blood sugar.

Chris Devoyd said both he and his father continue to take antiviral drugs and are awaiting the results of several tests to confirm whether or not they have HIV.

Eugene Devoyd, 85, may have been exposed to HIV after a used insulin pen was accidentally used on him.
Eugene Devoyd, 85, may have been exposed to HIV after a used insulin pen was accidentally used on him. (WGNE)

"It takes a lot out of you when something like this happens," he told WGME. "And it's shocking when it happens."

The hospital in a statement said it is "committed to providing the highest standards of quality care and safety" but declined to comment on the case "due to federal and state confidentiality laws and our utmost commitment to patient confidentiality.

"If a potential issue arises, it would receive prompt attention, as well as a quality review, to determine all factors and to identify opportunities for improvement and corrective actions, as warranted."

Chris Devoyd said he has not heard from the hospital since his father's release.

"I thought maybe they would say sorry or maybe call and see how he was doing, but nothing," he said. "Not one thing."