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Denver's VA hospital fails to meet safety, sanitation standard

Infection Control Monitor, January 21, 2005

A federal report has identified numerous safety and sanitation violations at the Denver Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center, Medicine & Law Weekly reports.

The Office of Inspector General concluded that the VA failed to meet 12 of 16 standards for which it was surveyed. Among other problems, inspectors found chipping drywall and paint falling off walls onto areas that stored surgical instruments and feces and blood on the toilets and shower floors in patient's rooms.

The report also indicated that in some instances, patients with compromised immune systems were not admitted to the facility for long periods for fear they might contract infections. In addition, inspectors observed cramped quarters in a chemotherapy clinic, raising concerns about infection control and safety.

VA officials say they are addressing the problems.

The 128-bed facility ranked first among VA medical centers in quality of care in 2004.

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