Results Change After Vet's Second Virus Screening VA Colonoscopy Problems Affect Transplants
LifeNet Health Won't Accept Tissue Donations From Patients
POSTED: 3:53 pm CDT May 13,
2009
UPDATED: 6:26 pm CDT May 13,
2009
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- The problems with colonoscopies at Veterans Affairs hospitals in Murfreesboro and Miami are now affecting the transplant world.The largest organ procurement and tissue bank facility in the country said it will not use tissue donated by anyone who has had a colonoscopy or endoscopy in the past four months.LifeNet Health said it decided to impose the restriction out of "an abundance of caution." The facility said it will not be permanent policy, but it is still in effect both for the United States and Puerto Rico.More than 11,000 veterans were notified to be tested for hepatitis and HIV after colonoscopy devices were found to be improperly connected and cleaned.In Tennessee, 19 vets have tested positive for either hepatitis or HIV.The VA's top doctor has said veterans will never be able to prove they were infected by a specific procedure.But some experts have said while fingerprinting the infection might be difficult, it is not impossible.
Previous Stories:
- April 23, 2009: Vet Negative For Virus After Retesting
- March 26, 2009: Vet Gets Legal Help For Hepatitis Contraction
- March 26, 2009: 10 VA Patients Have Viral Infections
- March 11, 2009: VA Denies Hepatitis Results
- February 10, 2009: MD: Wrong Valve Carries Hepatitis, HIV Risks
- February 9, 2009: Thousands Of Colonoscopy Patients At Risk
- January 8, 2009: Valve Problem Cited In Colonoscopy Issue
- January 1, 2009: Pulaski Man Questions Recent Colonoscopy
- January 1, 2009: Hospital Investigates 'Possible Infection Threat'
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