VA veterans possibly exposed to HIV and hepatitis notified
Accreditation Connection, June 1, 2009
More than 10,000 patients treated at one of three Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities are being notified by U.S. officials because of accidental exposure to infection, including HIV and hepatitis, according to SF Health News Examiner. Patients who received colonoscopies at Mufreesboro, Tenn., and Miami, FL., as well as at the agency's ear, nose, and throat clinic in Augusta, Ga. have received follow up blood tests because of VA mistakes with equipment during such procedures.
Of the 10,000 potentially infected veterans, 7,615 have been notified of test results. However, at more than a dozen other VA centers, veterans potentially exposed to less threatening mistakes at with the same equipment are not being notified. According to Dr. Jim Bagian, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' chief patient safety officer, the other cases did not carry an infection risk, and declined to mention the other facilities.
A report shows that as of May 11, 2009 five former patients tested positive for HIV and 34 had tested positive for hepatitis, but it remains unclear if the infections were from receiving VA treatment.
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