Veterans involved in St Louis blunder test positive for infectious diseases
Blood tests carried out following a sterilisation blunder at the John Cochran Veteran Affairs Medical Center have confirmed that some veterans have been infected with HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
Over 1,800 veterans were contacted following an investigation, which revealed that the sterilisation process was not being completed properly and instruments were not being sterilised fully between patients. Veterans were invited to attend blood tests and it has now been revealed that some of the tests have come back positive.
It is not clear whether the dental instruments used at the facility are the source of the infection but officials from Congress and veterans have reacted angrily to the test results. At a recent hearing, veterans spoke of their dismay and anger and expressed their disappointment in the service, which was supposed to be ensuring that they remained safe and healthy.
A former employee at the centre also spoke of her concern about the sterilisation procedures at the facility; Earline Johnson said she had expressed concern to senior colleagues but had been ignored and was later fired.
A full investigation into the blunder is now underway and the undersecretary of the Veterans Affairs said that he will submit a full report to Congress by the middle of August.
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