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Thursday, March 26, 2009
Florida VA May Have Exposed Vets to Infections
Veterans who received colonoscopies between May 2004 and March 12, 2009 have begun lining up to be tested for H.I.V. and hepatitis at the Miami Veterans Hospital. Officials there say as many as 3000 veterans may have been exposed to the infections as the result of endoscopes that were not properly sterilized.
Though medical experts believe the odds of infection are less than one in a million, those whose immune systems are already suppressed by things like chemotherapy may have a higher risk. This hasn’t kept thousands of veterans from feeling a sense of panic.
VA clinics in two other southern states, Tennessee and Georgia, alerted over 7000 veterans that they may have been exposed to infections during colonoscopies between 2003 and 2008. Ten people from Tennessee and six from Georgia have tested positive. Tennessee results show infections of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Results from Georgia are still being evaluated.
Miami Veterans Hospital is an award winning care facility. As a result of possible contamination, many are beginning to question, if it can happen here, what does this mean is going on at other VA hospitals around the country?
If you or your loved one is a veteran, and you believe you may have been exposed to an infectious disease as the result of improperly sterilized equipment, please contact the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at the Cochran Firm. We have offices nationwide.
Though medical experts believe the odds of infection are less than one in a million, those whose immune systems are already suppressed by things like chemotherapy may have a higher risk. This hasn’t kept thousands of veterans from feeling a sense of panic.
VA clinics in two other southern states, Tennessee and Georgia, alerted over 7000 veterans that they may have been exposed to infections during colonoscopies between 2003 and 2008. Ten people from Tennessee and six from Georgia have tested positive. Tennessee results show infections of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Results from Georgia are still being evaluated.
Miami Veterans Hospital is an award winning care facility. As a result of possible contamination, many are beginning to question, if it can happen here, what does this mean is going on at other VA hospitals around the country?
If you or your loved one is a veteran, and you believe you may have been exposed to an infectious disease as the result of improperly sterilized equipment, please contact the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at the Cochran Firm. We have offices nationwide.
Labels: Miami
posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 9:29 AM
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