Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AIDS, colonoscopy, florida, hepatitis, hiv, John Cochran VA Hospital, lawsuit, military, missouri, st. louis, troops, VA, VA hospital, veterans, veterans affairs
1,800 veterans exposed to AIDS during dental exam
St. Louis American
July 30, 2010
The Veteran’s Administration today released the latest results of tests taken by dental patients at the John Cochran VA Hospital in St. Louis. As of July 28, the VA confirms two positive results for Hepatitis B and two positive results for Hepatitis C. The data was presented at a Congressional hearing this morning.
Late last month, the VA reported 1,812 patients may have been exposed to Hep B, Hep C and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, due to improper sterilization methods at its Cochran dental clinic. An inspection revealed the procedure was in place for a little over a year at the facility.
The VA said it notified 1,769 veterans about the issue, and is working with homeless coordinators to reach Veterans with no known home address.
The VA said 1,598 responded to the disclosure by calling for an appointment for testing. Some vets opted to have their blood drawn by a private lab of their choosing at the VA’s expense. The VA reported 13 vets declined testing or an appointment.
The may or may not be related to dental equipment issues at the Cochran clinic. The VA said it is performing more extensive testing to determine the time period and possible source of the infections.
The VA said it will provide all related health care at no cost to the infected veterans.
Filed under: florida, hiv, lawsuit, Military, Troops, veterans | Tags: colonoscopy, Juan Rivera, VA, veterans affairs
11,000 U.S. veterans may have been mistakenly infected with HIV
BigNewsNetwork.com
August 24, 2009
11,000 veterans who had colonoscopies at U.S. Veterans Affairs hospitals may have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
The veterans were advised equipment used during their treatment was not sterilized. Of those so far that responded by having follow-up blood checks, 8 have tested positive for HIV. Twelve of the veterans have tested positive for hepatitis B, and 37 have tested positive for hepatitis C.
This week it was learned a 55-year-old North Miami man, Juan Rivera, a thirteen-year Army veteran with a wife and 5 children, filed notice last month that he will sue the Federal Government claiming he was infected with HIV during a colonoscopy at the Miami Veterans Administration hospital. He had a colonoscopy at the hospital in May last year.
Rivera is suing the government for $20 million.
On March 28, the VA department wrote to more than 3,000 veterans who had colonoscopies at the Miami VA hospital advising them that improperly cleaned equipment might have exposed them to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
VA officials say endoscopy equipment was rinsed instead of being sterilizing as was required by the manufacturer’s directions.
Similar problems were uncovered at VA hospitals in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Augusta, Ga. The total number of veterans subsequently blew out to more than 11,000.
Following congressional inquiries, Miami VA hospital director Mary Berrocal disciplined up to 10 employees.
noworldsystem.com 