Is anyone following this story?

[MrsK]

4th colonoscopy patient tests positive for HIV
Colonoscopy equipment wasn't sterilized between patients, VA says
The Associated Press
updated 5:17 p.m. ET, Fri., April 24, 2009
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Department of Veterans Affairs says a fourth person exposed to dirty equipment at its hospitals has tested positive for HIV.

The test result revealed Friday is the second positive HIV test from a patient who was treated at a VA hospital in Miami. The VA is investigating problems with cleaning medical equipment used for colonoscopies as well as ear, nose and throat exams at three of its Southeast hospitals.

Positive HIV tests have also been reported from patients at VA clinics in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Augusta, Ga.

The agency says it doesn't yet know if the HIV and hepatitis cases are related to its treatment, but it has warned almost 11,000 veterans treated at those hospitals to get blood tests.

The VA also increased the number of patients who have hepatitis C to 20.


Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30393010/

It's sick how our Vets always get the very worst care.

[Bittersweet]

It's sick how our Vets always get the very worst care.

Horrible. And of all the equipment not to sterilize.

OMG! I am completely freaked out by this! I just started an internship for my MPH at the UPenn Division of HIV Prevention and Research.

[PrincessFiona]

Holy crap.

Is it wrong for me to interject that this is an example of a reason I don't want to put our govt. in charge of healthcare?

I wish I could remember where I heard this and who was saying it but I swear I heard someone (in congress?) praising the VA for healthcare delivery outcomes, etc.

[Sheherezade]

Don't want to stoke the debate, really - but I've heard of equally horrid things happening in private or university institutions. Sloppy care can be rendered anywhere - particularly when pay is low and respect for the employee is even lower. Nursing homes scare me - even the nicer ones. Luckily, slipshod care it is the exception, not the rule.

My biggest in this story is when the switched from the colonoscopy bit straight in to the ENT bit. Colonoscopy equipment and ENT equipment shouldn't really be mentioned in the same breath.

Is it wrong for me to interject that this is an example of a reason I don't want to put our govt. in charge of healthcare?

Don't worry...OBama just wants to cut down on medical technology errors.