Augusta VA head: Sterilization problems fixed

Associated Press - August 26, 2009 5:54 PM ET

JESUP, Ga. (AP) - The director of the Veterans Affairs medical center in Augusta says she's "100% sure" the hospital has corrected sterilization problems that may have exposed some patients to infectious body fluids.

Rebecca Wiley spoke Wednesday at a hearing on veterans' health care conducted by Sen. Johnny Isakson in Jesup. She said workers cleaning medical equipment at the hospital have undergone monthly inspections and no problems have been detected.

The Augusta VA notified about 1,000 veterans treated at its ear, nose and throat clinic last year that they may have been exposed to infectious fluids because of improperly cleaned endoscopic equipment.

More than 9,000 patients receiving colonoscopies at VA hospitals in Miami and Murfreesboro, Tenn., were also exposed to improperly cleaned equipment. A small number have tested positive for HIV or hepatitis.