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Veteran's Administration patients at risk from improperly sterilized tools

Infection Control Monitor, March 18, 2005

Patients at the Veteran's Administration (VA) San Diego Healthcare System in La Jolla may have been treated with improperly sterilized equipment, The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The hospital sent notices to the 60 dental and surgical patients that an incorrect process known as gravity displacement was used to sterilize tools. In a post-cleaning safety check, a monitor indicated that bacteria were still living in some of the tools.

All of the patients asked to come in for testing received treatment on March 1.

In the notice to affected patients, the hospital's director wrote that the VA would "provide all necessary and appropriate care required."

The hospital is currently conducting an internal investigation.

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