Outcome not Good for Several Affected Veterans

Several weeks ago a story broke regarding several VA hospitals discovered to have been using contaminated equipment on thousands of patients, potentially exposing them to a multitude of diseases and urging anyone who had undergone a colonoscopy at any of the three facilities in question be tested for possible infection.  In a blatant case of medical negligence, three of those veterans affected have now tested positive for HIV.

More than 10,000 patients who received colonoscopies at VA facilities in Augusta, Georgia, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Miami, Florida were potentially exposed to the bodily fluids of other patients when the endoscopic equipment used during the procedure was found not to have been sterilized properly in between uses.

In addition to the three vets who tested positive for HIV, there have also been a total of six who tested positive for hepatitis B and nineteen for hepatitis C.

Perhaps the most disturbing fact is that, according to a statement made by the VA, it is still unknown whether veterans treated at the 150 other facilities across the country may have also been exposed to unsanitary equipment before the nationwide safety training campaign was concluded in March.  The problems, which were uncovered in December during the campaign, date back more than five years.

It remains to be seen whether more veterans will be found to be infected with any of the above diseases as testing continues.