Test May Have Exposed Vets To Deadly Diseases
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Peter D'Oench
Warning To Veterans About Risk Of Infection
MiamiVA Healthcare System urges testing because of improperly sterilized tubes used In endoscopic procedures between 2004 and 2009
The Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (MVAHS) has a warning for 3,260 veterans who were patients in endoscopic procedures during a 5-year period: Come in for free tests because there's a chance you were exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV.
MVAHS says those affected are veterans who had endoscopic procedures between May 2004 and March 12, 2009. Doctors say some of the tubing used was not disinfected according to the manufacturer's recommendations. A special Care Call center has been set up that is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Veterans can call (305) 575-7256 or toll free, 1-877-575-7256 to speak with staff and schedule an appointment at any of the VA clinics in Miami, Broward, Homestead or Key West. Letters are also being mailed out to them, urging them to get tested.
Dr. John Vara, Chief of Staff for MVAHS, says it's not clear what went wrong with the sterilization procedures. He said, "The risk of infection is believed to be small, but the best bet is to be tested."
MVAHS said 80 percent of the veterans were having colonoscopies. Vara said the problem was detected because of a manufacturer's alert and a review of endoscopy procedures.
"I am deeply sorry for this situation, and I want to assure you that we are taking all the necessary steps to ensure your health," said MVAHS spokeswoman Mary Berrocal. "Our goal is now to find ways to protect the veterans who have protected us."
It is too early to say if any of the veterans were infected, doctors say, or if any of them infected anyone else.
Democratic congressman Kendrick Meek wrote letters to a number of prominent people including the Inspector General of Veterans Affairs. "Needless to say," Meek said, "Hepatitis B, C and HIV are communicable, and what may affect as many as 3260 individuals could quickly expand to include a much larger pool of people."
Meek also said, "While we can never adequately pay back our veterans for their service to our country and dedication to the uniform they wore, we can try to assist by providing them with the top level of medical care they deserve."
Meek said, "The VA is a model of health care that we provide and making mistakes like this undermines the efficacy of the entire system."
Meek called for a full inquiry by the VA. MVAHS said it taken steps to make sure this does not happen again.
Veterans we spoke with urged fellow veterans who are affected by this warning to get tested. "It's not something you cannot control," said Charles Patterson, who served in Vietnam from 1967-68 and who is being treated at the VA. "It's important that you get tested so that they make sure it's not worse than what you have."
Another Vietnam Veteran, Ed Suddith, said "You have to get tested to make sure you're ok right now and will be in the future. Other concerns, what are the side effects? Are there any. It's important you find out what's harmful."
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