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VA hospital cited for uncleanliness and fatal infections

Hospital Safety Connection, January 13, 2005

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The death of a patient at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver in May has been linked to a fungal infection from a dirt floor, the Rocky Mountain News reported.

Over the past two years, at least six chemotherapy patients suffered from an aspergillus fungus infection after receiving treatment at the hospital, Leigh Anderson, MD, told the News.

Hospital officials discovered the fungus problem from a water main break in the hospital's subbasement, where the aspergillus spores were discovered. Damp air may have forced the sports up an elevator shaft to patient's rooms, Anderson said.

The Department of Veterans Affairs cited the aspergillus infection during a June inspection. Among other items cited during the inspection include dirty bathrooms, outpatient clinics, and nurses' stations.

While hospital officials say they're spending thousands of dollars to improve cleanliness, and to ensure the hospital's safety, officials plan to remodel.

The remodeling will include venting the subbasement, which will prevent air from moving up the elevator shaft.

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