More sterilization issues were revealed at the John Cochran VA Hospital in St. Louis on Wednesday during what administrators describe as a routine inspection of surgery trays, prompting the decision to halt surgeries at the facility.
“A regular inspection of surgical instrument trays noted spots on the trays and water stains on at least one surgical instrument, Medical Center Director RimaAnn O. Nelson, RN, MPH/HAS said in a statement to The American. “These concerns were caught before any patients were operated on, and this serves as an example of the medical center’s heightened patient precaution systems at work.”
That didn’t stop criticism from Missouri elected officials.
“While the situation was quickly identified, these problems must stop,” stated U.S. Senator Clare McCaskill, who vowed to hold whoever is responsible accountable. “Our veterans deserve nothing but the best.”
A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay’s said its office is investigating. Cochran is located in Clay’s district.
Congressman Russ Carnahan pushed for hearings in St. Louis on sterilization problems found in the Cochran dental clinic last year, potentially exposing 1812 veterans to blood borne diseases. The VA tested 1,606 vets and notified them of test results and two tested positive for hepatitis B and two for hepatitis C – although the VA says results are not necessarily linked to any reusable medical equipment issues at the facility.
Carnahan has meet with veterans several times on this issue, and today announced his new congressional assignment to veteran affairs committee. In light of new reports a possible new sterilization problem, Carnahan said it’s time for a full, top-to-bottom, independent review of the entire facility.
“How many times does something have to happen before they fix this facility?” Carnahan said. “Clearly the problems there go well beyond one department. It’s time for a full, top-to-bottom, independent review of the entire facility. It needs to happen and it needs to happen now. The health and safety of our veterans is too important to wait.”
“Medical center leadership has inspected all other surgical materials and has had various service vendors at the facility today [Friday, Feb. 4] inspecting and testing Surgical Processing and Distribution equipment to eliminate any potential problems,” Nelson added. She said VA will work with all affected veterans to reschedule surgical appointments or to arrange for alternate care in any urgent cases.
