Colonoscopes that were rinsed but not disinfected before being reused have exposed thousands of patients treated at Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals to hepatitis, HIV, and other diseases, leading to calls for an inspector general's inquiry into the matter.
A Tuesday report on CNN.com said the possible exposures occurred over a five-year period at the Miami VA Healthcare System. But there are also concerns about contaminated equipment at VA facilities in Murfreesboro, TN, and Augusta, GA, the article said.
Reacting to the news, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) requested an official inquiry by VA inspector general Gen. Eric Shinseki, urging him to investigate all three facilities.
On Monday, the Miami facility mailed letters to 3,260 people who underwent conventional colonoscopy between May 2004 and March 12, 2009, asking them to report to a special care center to be tested for HIV and hepatitis. Nearly 900 were scheduled for exams over the next two weeks, hospital officials told CNN.
The problem in Miami was related to tubing on the endoscopes that was routinely rinsed but not disinfected before being reused on the next patient.
"The endoscope equipment was properly cleaned and disinfected, it was determined that an attached section of tubing was rinsed, but not disinfected according to the manufacturer's recommendations," stated an advisory on the Miami facility's Web site. "This created a minimal possibility of exposure to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)."
In Tennessee, the potential exposures were related to an incorrect valve being snapped onto the tubing of the endoscopes, instead of the correct one-way green valve that would have prevented potential backflow of bodily fluids into subsequent patients.
Hospital officials emphasized that there are no reports of illness from patients who underwent the optical colonoscopy exams.
"Screening is strictly precautionary and does not indicate that any patients have contracted a virus," wrote Miami VA director Mary Berrocal on the facility's Web site. But procedures are being reviewed in all three facilities to ensure that the potential for exposure is eliminated.
A call center has been set up to answer patients' questions at 305-575-7256 or 877-575-7256. Operators are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, the VA said.
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