Unsterile equipment used on Miami veterans

H/T Texas Fred.

More than 3,000 who had colonoscopies at VA hospital told to get HIV tests

MIAMI - Officials say more than 3,000 patients at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Miami had colonoscopies with equipment that wasn’t properly sterilized

They’ve been told they should be tested for HIV and other diseases.

The VA insists the risk of infection is minimal and only involved tubing on equipment, not any device that actually touched a patient. But it’s the second recent announcement of errors during colonoscopies at VA facilities.

Last month, more than 6,000 patients at a clinic in Tennessee were told they may have been exposed to infectious body fluids during colonoscopies.

The VA also said 1,800 veterans treated at an ear, nose and throat clinic in Augusta, Ga., were alerted they could have been exposed to an infection due to improper disinfection of an instrument.

SOURCE:
Unsterile equipment used on Miami veterans

This is nothing less than a travesty. Our veterans have given this nation everything they have, their health, their sanity, their arms, legs, eyes, they have given us everything they have to give, they answered the call. This is how WE take care of THEM?

We had documented cases of veteran neglect during the Bush administration, and we were led to believe that those problems were being fully addressed and dealt with. I have been hammering on this for a long time now, this was one of the stories I posted, Gov’t Struggles to Cope With Wounded GIs. The government has a responsibility to COPE with these warriors, these guys have earned the very best of care and nothing less, but what do they get? VA links poor care to 19 deaths at Ill. hospital.
About a year ago I went off on this tale of woe:

Maybe it wasn’t a deliberate attempt, maybe it’s all been just a terrible coincidence, maybe some of the deplorable conditions at some VA hospitals, conditions that have been documented, maybe that was just administrative oversight, the VA has their mission definition, and the utmost care of our Vets is their #1 priority, right?? VA lying about number of veteran suicides

 

Remember the Homeless Veterans!

Frequent visitor and commentor at "Do The Right Thing", Halle Burton reminds us that we need to make mention of the homeless veteran problem.

Some might be surprised that I would mention Halle in a post, when his comments are normally on the opposite side from mine, but hey Halle gave me a good idea and I always try to give credit where warranted.

This has been Veterans Awareness Week, and I believe it only appropriate to mention those who have served their country and who are now living on the streets of America. I don't write this to debate about how much help there is for the homeless, or no one that doesn't want to be homeless doesn't have to be.

The bottom line is that a large percentage of the homeless population are veterans - a recent report says 25%.

I don't have all the answers, and I can't say that I have done anything for a homeless veteran (shame on me???), but we all can do this. We can lift them up in prayer.

We can also visit this site and see what their suggestions are!http://www1.va.gov/homeless/

Won't you join me in doing at least that much!

Cyber Pastor