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V.A. hospital potentially exposed 1,812 Veterans to blood-borne diseases and HIV during dental work

By Paul Napoli

June 30, 2010

A routine inspection has found that Cochran V.A. Medical Center in St. Louis, MO may have exposed more than 1,800 veterans to blood-borne diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C during dental work, according to an article in The New York Times.

During the period when these veterans had dental work from February 1, 2009 to March 11, 2010, Cochran V.A. failed to follow V.A. procedures requiring the cleaning of medical instruments with a special detergent before sterilization.

The Department of Veterans Affairs sent letters to all 1,812 veterans notifying them of the exposure, saying that the risk of 'infection was extremely low." The hospital is offering the veterans free blood test screening for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection.

"This is absolutely unacceptable," said Missouri Congressman Russ Carnahan. "No veteran who has served and risked their life for this great Nation should have to worry about their personal safety when receiving much needed healthcare services from a Veterans Administration hospital."

Carnahan sent letters to President Obama and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, insisting they immediately investigate this indefensible breach of standard operating procedures and report back what will be done to remedy the issue and ensure that it never occurs again. Carnahan also contacted House Veterans Committee Chairman Bob Filner to schedule a hearing quickly to look into the matter.

"I can only imagine the horror and anger our veterans must be feeling after receiving this letter," Carnahan added. "They have every right to be angry. So am I."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Full post as published by New York City Personal Injury Lawyer on June 30, 2010 (boomark / email).