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VA hospital may have infected 1,800 veterans with HIV

Seriously, wtf.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/30/va.hospital.hiv/index.html?iref=obnetwork

"A Missouri VA hospital is under fire because it may have exposed more than 1,800 veterans to life-threatening diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.

John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis has recently mailed letters to 1,812 veterans telling them they could contract hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) after visiting the medical center for dental work, said Rep. Russ Carnahan.

Carnahan said Tuesday he is calling for a investigation into the issue and has sent a letter to President Obama about it.

"This is absolutely unacceptable," said Carnahan, a Democrat from Missouri. "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."

The issue stems from a failure to clean dental instruments properly, the hospital told CNN affiliate KSDK."

created by OhioKimono on Jul 15, 2010 at 06:35:37 am
updated by OhioKimono on Jul 15, 2010 at 06:36:11 am     Health     Comments: 5

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Comments ... #

That's scary. My dad lost his job after an injury in the coal mines. Was forced to leave with just 1 year left till full retirement so they screwed him hard. Lost all health insurance, so he goes to the VA now for things.

Can't see how this happened, hospitals tend to be the most anal about keeping things sterile and the environment healthy.

posted by INeedCoffee on Jul 15, 2010 at 05:34:21 pm     #  

Wasn't this the big scare in the 80's--AIDS infection by dirty dental instruments? I seem to remember reading about it back then.

I'm old enough to remember a dentist using his BARE HANDS while doing dental work on me as a kid. Even without the threat of AIDS, thinking about it now grosses me out.

In any event, the VA takes another hit. Government run health care--can't wait.

posted by oldhometown on Jul 15, 2010 at 05:44:37 pm     #  

It isnt just government run hospitals.
http://www.thebody.com/content/prev/art18513.html

http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/13384

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/11/transplant-patient-sues-after-getting-hiv.html

Really, its the health care system in general that isnt held all that accountable for mistakes.

posted by holland on Jul 15, 2010 at 08:14:06 pm     #  

Don't worry. Once the government plan kicks in I'm sure it will be much, much better. lol

posted by hockeyfan on Jul 15, 2010 at 08:37:33 pm     #  

This is not the first time, just last year I read that Vets had contracted HIV from Lower GI exams. Equipment was used on patients with out being cleaned.

posted by ToledoLatina on Jul 15, 2010 at 11:56:43 pm     #  

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