Results Change After Vet's Second Virus Screening 10 VA Patients Have Viral Infections
Colonoscopy Mishaps Linked To Problems
POSTED: 5:36 pm CDT March 25,
2009
UPDATED: 1:41 am CDT March 26,
2009
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Days after another Veterans Affairs hospital reported problems with colonoscopies, Murfreesboro's Alvin C. York VA hospital said they have 10 patients who have tested positive for viral infections.The VA will not say whether those infections are hepatitis or HIV and claim there is no way to determine whether the procedure led to the exposure.The Channel 4 I-Team was first to report on the colonoscopy problems earlier this year.Incorrect rigging of medical equipment posed the risk of contamination from one patient to the next.Initially, the York hospital said it was a one-time incident but later extended testing to 6,400 vets.On Monday night, a VA hospital in Miami said it was offering testing to 3,000 veterans for similar colonoscopy mishaps.Two lawmakers from Florida want the VA hospitals to report on how more than 10,000 patients were exposed to unsterile equipment.In Tennessee, the VA blamed most of the problem on unclear or incomplete instructions from the scope's manufacturer.
Previous Stories:
- 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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