VA Clinics to be Investigated for Exposing Veterans to HIV and Hepatitis
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The VA recommended more than 10,000 former VA patients in Miami, FL., Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Augusta, Ga., get follow-up blood checks for HIV and Hepatitis B and C due to improperly sterilized endoscopy equipment. Currently, 5 veterans have tested positive for HIV and 43 other VA patients have tested positive for hepatitis.
Bill Poovey of the AP reported that:
In Miami, a tube that was supposed to be cleaned after each colonoscopy was instead cleaned at the end of each day, affecting patients between May 2004 and March 2009. And in Augusta, the ENT scopes used for looking into the nose and throat weren't properly cleaned, affecting patients between January 2008 and November 2008.
It is unknown if the patients were infected as a result of the unsterilized equipment. The VA has stated that it will pay for treatment regardless of whether or not the patients were infected by the unsterilized equipment.
CNN reports the VA as stating:
It is reviewing procedures at other facilities. So far, it says, it has encountered no additional problems. In the meantime, the VA has brought in additional personnel to help with testing and counseling in Miami, Murfreesboro, and Augusta. It has also set up a toll-free number that VA patients and their families can call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for additional information: 1-877-575-7256.
A Congressional Panel has been put together to question officials of the Department of Veteran Affairs.
CNN provided:
In a letter last month to Gen. Eric Shinseki, the secretary of Veterans Affairs, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, requested that the VA Office of Inspector General "begin an investigation into the potential problems of contamination; whether any patient has contracted an infection from unsterilized equipment; and, most importantly, how we can prevent such problems from happening again."