Posted by
Roxanna M. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 1:17:45 PM
A short while ago, it was announced that personnel at certain VA hospitals were not sterilizing endoscopic equipment between patients. Letters were sent out to 11,000 people warning them that they may have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis.
Since that time, 5 have tested positive for HIV and 33 have tested positive for hepatitis, and blood tests are continuing. These 38 people could very well have just been handed a death sentence.
So, what does the VA's chief patient safety officer - Dr. Jim Bagian - have to say: he doesn't think these individuals will ever be able to prove that they were infected by unsterilized equipment at the VA hospital. He doesn't think anyone will ever know how they were infected.
It would appear, then, that the VA is not going to take any responsibility for its criminally negligent behavior.
Unfortunately, this type of treatment will be the norm in the future, even if BO doesn't socialize health care. What's happening at the VA hospitals is already happening in the private sector. And, it's only going to accelerate.