More Than 10,000 Vets Warned To Get Blood Tests

[halos2]

OK we are all aware of the dirty instrument contamination with the colonscopies at Murfreesboro, Tn, and in Miami but now the endoscopic equipment in question was also used at an ear, nose, and throat facility in Augusta, Ga. All three sites failed to properly sterilize the equipment between treatments. The VA has said it does not know if veterans who were treated with the same kind of equipment at its other 150 hospitals may have been exposed to the same mistake.

The Veterans Affairs Department is investigating whether there is a link between a VA patients positive HIV test and the unsterilized equipment that might have exposed thousands of veterans to infectious diseases.( This HIV has been referenced 2 days ago) Do you know how many vets really could have had their health compromised?? No excuse here, there are some sick bas*ards out there who are too lazy to make sure the equiptment is clean and STERILIZED. How about we let them have the contaminated equipment used on them,or how would they feel if it were used on their family! Never happen! When it comes to the vets, we are treated as second class citizens. I get further and more appauled at this disgrace when it come to vets treatments.

Dr Oz said more patients die of medical errors/hospital errors/contamination infections than diseases each year. Pitiful. Just pitiful.

[halos2]

NOT LOOKING GOOD FRIENDS !!

Va says now 28 vets infected after being tested related to this outrageous contamination incident...

3 NOW POSITIVE for HIV (one at each center)

6 Positive for Hepatitis B

19 Positive for Hepatitis C

(per watchdog info)

Pass this on to anyone who may have received any of these tests, especially at these facilities. We know there are many vets out there who are not aware this has occurred and they may have had the tests/been infected. This might be epidemic proportions by the time they really notify all who were tested.

Lets hope by some chance, the vets WILL be notified of this major health threat! :)

OK we are all aware of the dirty instrument contamination with the colonscopies at Murfreesboro, Tn, and in Miami but now the endoscopic equipment in question was also used at an ear, nose, and throat facility in Augusta, Ga. All three sites failed to properly sterilize the equipment between treatments. The VA has said it does not know if veterans who were treated with the same kind of equipment at its other 150 hospitals may have been exposed to the same mistake.

The Veterans Affairs Department is investigating whether there is a link between a VA patients positive HIV test and the unsterilized equipment that might have exposed thousands of veterans to infectious diseases.( This HIV has been referenced 2 days ago) Do you know how many vets really could have had their health compromised?? No excuse here, there are some sick bas*ards out there who are too lazy to make sure the equiptment is clean and STERILIZED. How about we let them have the contaminated equipment used on them,or how would they feel if it were used on their family! Never happen! When it comes to the vets, we are treated as second class citizens. I get further and more appauled at this disgrace when it come to vets treatments.

Dr Oz said more patients die of medical errors/hospital errors/contamination infections than diseases each year. Pitiful. Just pitiful.

[Berta]

This is an absolute travesty-

and how it happened is beyond my comprehension.

"Dr Oz said more patients die of medical errors/hospital errors/contamination infections than diseases each year"

That is a staggering reality- this stuff happens in private hosps too-but this latest VA fiasco is just overwhelming.

Sounds to me like my kitchen floor is less contaminated than those instruments they claim they sterilized.

How could this happen?

Can VA spell Class Action?

[purple]

I think that all women who have had gyn exams should be tested as well. Who's to say that that equipment was sterile? I know that the majority of that equipment is supposed to be "one time use" but.............................we are talking the VA here folks.

I'm going to demand to be tested....but at WPAFB since I'm being seen there now for gyn issues. I just have zero trust in the VA.

I mean, do we really trust the VA to do these blood tests correctly???

[carlie]

Believe me - I am not in love with the VA

BUT

these same things are happening in civilian and

private medical facilities.

Where ever you go you need to either have or be

a good advocate and involved in your health care.

jmho,

carlie

[TiredVeteran]

NOT LOOKING GOOD FRIENDS !!

Va says now 28 vets infected after being tested related to this outrageous contamination incident...

3 NOW POSITIVE for HIV (one at each center)

6 Positive for Hepatitis B

19 Positive for Hepatitis

Halos2,

I agree about passing this information along to others. What about the veterans who passed away prior to this being public? Their spouses, partners, etc. could be infected and have no idea of the need for testing.

Personally, I am very vigilant in trying to keep my husband out of harms way, however, when he is taken into an off limits area (scope, surgery, biopsy, etc.) there is no way to monitor what is going on nor do I have the knowledge to know what should.

My husband nearly died from an infection during the questionable time frame. He had been scoped and biopsied at the local VA. A private doctor performed the surgery and the doctor said in 30 years he had never seen anything like it.

Yes, I am jaded about VAMC care. My husbands spine was mangled and maimed by an impaired physician and a VA staff who didn't properly protect him.

Debbie

Debbie

[Breakthechain]

Hello Hadit friends,

I just called 1800 827-1000 representatives and they gave me another number to call, 877-575-7256, they are handling all calls regarding the cross contamination reports. I sopke to a nurse, and asked if I should be tested because I had an ENT exam and pelvic exam in Dec 08. She stated they are only testing those who had colonscopies. She stated this is the only equipment in question. I ask is this because this is the only equipment they have knowelge of that was contaminated. I asked if the VA can test me because I wanted to be sure, and was informed I will have to be tested by my own private physician. Again she stated, the VA is only testing those who had colonscopies. I'm going to call my own provider and get the test done. But should VA, perform the test?