The Green Hospital of Scripps Clinic in La Jolla has encouraged several patients to get tested for HIV and hepatitis because an instrument used in surgeries might have been improperly sterilized.

It would make it the third Scripps hospital to notify patients about improper sterilization procedures.

The 80 patients who received the Scripps Green notification in the past two weeks had either stomach reduction or bariatric surgery between March 2005 and April 2006, or a different procedure for gastroesophageal reflux diseases over a 13-month period from March 2005 to April 2006.

In a letter to patients May 30, Scripps said an instrument used in both operations to measure the size of the esophagus and the depth of the stomach was not properly disinfected in accordance with policy.

"Although highly unlikely, you may have been exposed to a blood-borne virus such as hepatitis B and C," the letter stated. "And while it is true that HIV is also a blood-borne virus, there have been no reports of HIV transmission and only a few instances of hepatitis B and C transmission with similar events in the United States."

Robin Brown, Scripps Green chief executive, said that a nurse involved in the improper procedure has been placed on administrative leave.

The improper sterilization came to light because of an extensive audit undertaken at all Scripps hospitals last month after 299 bariatric patients at Scripps Memorial Hospital and six bariatric patients at Scripps Mercy hospital were operated on using an improperly sterilized gastroscope.

Concerned patients are urged to call (858) 554-3600.