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CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

MDHHS urges patients of West Michigan physician to consider bloodborne pathogen testing after alleged reuse of medical device

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is encouraging patients of Dr. Roger D. Beyer to discuss HIV and hepatitis testing with their healthcare provider if they have undergone anorectal manometry services provided by Beyer or his clinical practices.

On May 21, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs issued an administrative complaint against Beyer. The complaint alleges Beyer instructed his staff to reuse anorectal manometers on multiple patients, despite the fact the devices are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration only for single-patient use. The complaint further alleges that anorectal manometers were cleaned inconsistently between patients.

Anorectal manometry is a test performed to evaluate patients with constipation or incontinence. During the test, a small, flexible tube, about the size of a thermometer, with a balloon at the end is inserted into the rectum. Anorectal manometers can also be used in pelvic muscle rehabilitation.

Beyer owns Urological Solutions of Michigan and Women’s Health Care Specialists. These practices often performed medical procedures at long-term care and skilled nursing facilities in West Michigan.

MDHHS has not received any reports of disease associated with these practices. However, the reuse of anorectal manometers on multiple patients represents a risk of infectious disease transmission between patients.

MDHHS recommends that patients who received anorectal manometry from Beyer or his staff get tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Bloodborne pathogens can cause disease with few or no symptoms, and blood tests are needed to determine if these pathogens are present.

For more information about bloodborne pathogens visit Michigan.gov/hivstd.