Infection Control

Three VA patients test HIV-positive

Infection Control Weekly Monitor, April 22, 2009

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You may remember a couple weeks ago we reported on an investigation by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) into unsafe sterilization practices involving colonoscopies at facilities in Murfreesboro, TN; Augusta, GA; and Miami.

Although the investigation is still ongoing, a recent report from the Associated Press (AP) says that three patients exposed to contaminated medical equipment have tested positive for HIV. One patient has been linked to each of the three facilities.

The VA also told the AP that there have been six positive tests for hepatitis B and 19 positive tests for hepatitis C at the three locations. More than 10,000 patients have been asked to get tested.

There is no way to prove these patients acquired the infections at the three hospitals, the VA told the AP. The agency also said it does not know if patients treated with the same kind of equipment in 150 other hospitals may have been exposed to the same mistake before a nationwide safety training campaign was completed March 14. However the recent problems date back more than five years.



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