Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
United Press International - May 29, 2009
The equipment may have infected veterans who received colonoscopies at the hospital between May 2004 and March of this year, The Miami Herald reported Friday.
Hospital officials have been unable to reach 216 of the 2,500 veterans considered at risk for hepatitis and HIV because of the unsterilized equipment.
In June, the hospital is sending seven nurses to the last known addresses of the veterans, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., said Thursday after a briefing at the hospital.
Three Miami veterans have tested positive for HIV and eight for hepatitis, the Herald reported. While there is no way to scientifically link the infections to VA equipment, the hospital has promised to care for each infected veteran for life.
"It is squarely on them to begin the process of gaining back the public trust," Ros-Lehtinen said.
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