VA endoscopic problems in Augusta, elsewhere to get Senate hearing

A member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs says “despite numerous and repeated directives,“ some VA hospitals have not corrected mistakes with endoscopic equipment. Republican Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina said a Wednesday hearing will hopefully reveal more about problems that have members of Congress requesting surprise inspections of VA hospitals.

The Associated Press
Published: June 23, 2009

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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - A member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs says “despite numerous and repeated directives,“ some VA hospitals have not corrected mistakes with endoscopic equipment. Republican Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina said a Wednesday hearing will hopefully reveal more about problems that have members of Congress requesting surprise inspections of VA hospitals.

More than 10,000 former patients who either had colonoscopies in Murfreesboro, Tenn., or Miami or were treated at the VA’s ear, nose and throat clinic in Augusta, Ga., have been warned to get blood tests.

Six patients have tested positive for HIV and 46 have tested positive for hepatitis.

There is no evidence the positive tests resulted from the VA failing to follow proper cleaning procedures.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)