The Department of Veterans Affairs is investigating a possible connection between endoscopy equipment and a veteran’s positive HIV test, reported CNN.
The department will investigate a possible connection with improperly sterilized equipment in three VA facilities.
More than 10,000 veterans may have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis while undergoing colonoscopies and other procedures. The VA sent letters to veterans offering testing, reported CNN. Officials are saying that equipment at three separate facilities had not been properly cleaned.
“The VA prides itself on being accountable, and we are extremely concerned about this matter, and as a result we have initiated an investigation,” Dr. Michael J. Kussman, the VA’s undersecretary for health, said in a news release on Friday. “We have an obligation to provide those who have served and sacrificed for our Nation the care they deserve.”
There has been only one confirmed positive HIV test, but the VA says that 16 other veterans have tested positive for hepatitis. The centers reporting problems are located in Tennessee and Georgia, although other centers will be checked during the pending investigation.
So far, 3,174 veterans have been notified of their test results, according to CNN. The VA is also asking people to not jump to the conclusion that the infections are a direct result of the equipment.
The VA says that it is reviewing procedures at other facilities. Adding that it will pay for the treatment of any infected veteran, regardless of where they got the disease.
“We are making sure to take corrective measures to ensure veterans have the information and the care necessary to deal with this unacceptable development,” Kussman told CNN.
OUR TAKE:
It is terrible to hear that even one veteran was infected with HIV while receiving treatment after returning home. What’s worse is that this could be a widespread problem.
This makes you wonder how this could happen, especially at separate facilities in different states. Was this a freak accident, or do workers just not care when they are treating our nations veterans?
Regardless, all we can hope is that the problem isn’t as wide spread as the VA apparently fears.
