A Missouri VA hospital is catching hell for allegedly exposing over 1,800 veterans with HIV or hepatitis. Pop the hood for details

The hospital sent out over 1,810 letters to veterans that were treated at the VA hospital notifying them that they may have been exposed to several potentially life-threatening diseases. The exposed individuals are at risk of HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C after visiting the medical center for dental work.

The issue stems from a failure to clean dental instruments properly, the hospital told CNN affiliate KSDK.
Dr. Gina Michael, the association chief of staff at the hospital, told the affiliate that some dental technicians broke protocol by handwashing tools before putting them in cleaning machines.

The instruments were supposed to only be put in the cleaning machines, Michael said.

The handwashing started in February 2009 and went on until March of this year, the hospital told KSDK.

The hospital has set up a special clinic and education centers to help patients who may have been infected. However, Carnahan said he feels more should be done and those responsible should be disciplined.

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

This is not the first time this year a hospital has been in hot water for not following proper procedures.

In June, Palomar Hospital in San Diego, California, sent certified letters to 3,400 patients who underwent colonoscopy and other similar procedures, informing the patients that they may experience infection from items used and reused in the procedures.

This is ridiculous! No one should have to worry about contracting a life threatening disease from a hospital visit! Especially not a veteran who has already put his or her life in danger to protect the rest of us.

SMH… We’re definitely praying for these folks!

Source