Could a forced blood draw be hazardous to your health?

Earlier this month the Triad Group issued a voluntary recall for alcohol prep pads, alcohol swabs and alcohol swabsticks made by Triad but sold under private label.  According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there were concerns about the products being contaminated with bacillus cereus, which, as the recall notice states, could cause life-threatening infections for people in at-risk populations.

In Texas, whenever a forced blood draw is performed on a motorist arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, a non-alcohol based disinfectant is supposed to be rubbed around the site of the injection, so the articles covered by the recall should not affect anyone accused of drunk driving. However, the mere fact that a manufacturer of these products is recalling them due to concerns over contamination should give anyone pause to think about whether or not to consent to a forced blood draw.

Who manufactured the swab that is used to cleanse the skin at the injection site? Has that manufacturer had to recall their products before due to contamination concerns? Are the swabs and other materials used in the forced blood draw actually sterile? What little buggies might be lurking in room where the blood draw is taking place? When was the room last cleaned and sterilized? Who cleaned and sterilized it? Is the state exposing you to potentially lethal contamination in their quest to deprive you of your constitutional rights?

Just a little something to think about.