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Infection control problems emerge at three VA hospitals

Here's an ugly problem that has just come to light. The VA is reporting that three of its patients have tested positive for HIV, each of whom were exposed to contaminated medical equipment at one of its hospitals.

The problem would be unpleasant, enough no matter how the three got infected, but what arguably makes it worse is that each were infected at different hospitals, one at a VA facility in Murfreesboro, TN, one at a facility in Augusta, GA, and a third in Miami. Not only that, there have been six positive hepatitis B tests and 19 positive hepatitis C results at the three facilities.

Now, a total of more than 10,000 veterans who were exposed to the endoscopic equipment--which wasn't sterilized properly--are all being tested. 

The VA has instituted a safety training campaign on this subject, but execs don't know if veterans treated with the same endoscopic equipment at its other 150 hospitals might have caught an infection before it began. All told, an alarming possibility. (Readers, if you have any perspective to share on whether the VA outbreak is commensurate with what you've seen in problem situations at other large chains of facilities, please feel free to write.)

To learn more about the outbreak:
- read this Modern Healthcare piece

Related Article:
Veteran contracts HIV from unsterilized endoscopic equipment

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I was being treated by the VAMC West Haven, CT. I had a NPN in psychiatry who treated me for many years. She had a high absentee rate over the course of caregiving. Prior to leaving Connecticut for another state, she told me she was leaving the VA for another position. All those days she was absent, she was being treated intravenously (PIC line) for an airborne contaminant that had infected her sinus cavities. I do not know the specific bug involved. At the time I was dealing with the Joint Commission (JACHO) regarding improprieties (falsification of my medical record) and I reported this case as a failure to report an infection within confines of hospital.

RE: SURGERY AT V.A. HOSPITAL. . .
Thank God, . . I didn't acquire the H.I.V. Virus Infection but, . . I did
contract a bacterial infection in my right knee during a total knee
joint replacement. That led to the need for 8 or 9 additional
surgical procedures because the tissue wouldn't heal up around
the incisions. Also, . . I was encouraged to bear FULL WEIGHT
on that leg too soon and the shaft in the lower leg sank down into
the leg and ruptured a hole in the front of the bone and the glue
from the surgery was forced out into my leg, (under the skin but
outside the bone). Now the right leg is 1 inch shorter than the left.
Then, . . following an inpatient stay of over a month
long I was informed that it was INCURABLE and would require
LIFE-LONG SUPPRESSION to control the infection. Also, . . The
manifestation of the infection is that it causes constant, chronic,
unbearable pain in the hip, knees and feet joints as well as the
lower spinal column. Consequently, I have been on a 24/7 regimen
of strong ANTIBIOTICS and PAIN RELIEVERS for over 6 1/2 years.
And, . . The pain and agony I have endured is indescribable !
I have been told that even amputation above the knee would NOT
cure the infection nor stop the pain. This infection has absolutely
DESTROYED MY ENTIRE LIFE !!!

I have being wondering about the issue that has arose and sent to the white house about the the malpractices occuring withing the VA hospitals accross the nation. But there's one issue from saying anything at this time because anything you post or say can be used, against you in a court at law and hearing, at this time its considered hearsay, until proving matter of fact to show for good cause ,in a court of Judicial hearing.

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