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.

[purple]

Understand that....Months ago I was at a pdoc appt (psyc-doc) and he was picking his nose...EWWWWW...during the appt; then wanted to shake my hand on the way out, I just walked away.

I've never seen him for an appt since...and won't. That's just disgusting.

[halos2]

Purple,

That is so disgusting.. I never touch door handles, ever. I use a paper, sleeve, anything to avoid them. I carry prell with me all the time too. I always wash my hands after bathroom use and use paper towels to turn water on to get soap out of dispenser and to shut off water and to open door then toss it. I don't want people to touch or bump into me...NEVER sit on any toilet seats away from home...yeck!! Get so repulsed when I see women come out of the facilities and walk out without washing. Staph germs ugh!

Don't sit on chairs without newspaper (I carry with me) to place over top of seat(many times I stand) as chairs look filthy and some reak of urine too.

I am somewhat of a germaphobe but there are too many contaminates out there and I want to avoid as many as I can. Yes I have been a health professional for years...began in military. Has worsened over the years(my germaphobe).

Now I see with your nose buggers story why I feel this way too!!

Understand that....Months ago I was at a pdoc appt (psyc-doc) and he was picking his nose...EWWWWW...during the appt; then wanted to shake my hand on the way out, I just walked away.

I've never seen him for an appt since...and won't. That's just disgusting.

[Pete53]

I take my own book to appointments and do not touch nor read magazines or newspapers at Doc's office.My Primary Doc washes when she comes in and wears gloves to touch me which I appreciate. When she takes gloves off she washes again.

I would give the VA an F for how it takes care of sanitation and patient safety.

My shrink gets mad when I won't shake his hand.

[TiredVeteran]

[quote name='halos2' Now they think over 11,ooo need to be tested. Studies show the possibility of a faulty valve that allowed backflow with the irrigation system. The sterilization process was hindered and contamination quite possibly was one of the causitive agents.

Older vets and those without internet access are at risk of not receiving this information to be tested...the VA so far has not mailed out info to all who may have been subjected to these viruses related to the contamination.

[purple]

We deserve answers to many, many things about the VA. But no one higher up than them is ever going to make them talk.

[halos2]

We need to keep a close eye on these major problems, as the VA might try to put it under the rug or closet it...

Friends NUMBERS RISING to 30 now. Vets tested positive for infectious diseases. Now they think over 11,ooo need to be tested. Studies show the possibility of a faulty valve that allowed backflow with the irrigation system. The sterilization process was hindered and contamination quite possibly was one of the causitive agents.

Older vets and those without internet access are at risk of not receiving this information to be tested...the VA so far has not mailed out info to all who may have been subjected to these viruses related to the contamination.

Be safe...Always wash your hands and question or observe others do the same. Question utensiles/equiptment that is to be steriilized.