U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) Calls for Full Inquiry into Medical Mistakes at the Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center

 

Miami Gardens, FL – On March 23, the Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (MVAHS) notified Congressman Kendrick Meek that between May 2004 and March 12, 2009 approximately 3,260 veterans who received a colonoscopy using endoscopic equipment at the Miami VA were exposed to possible risks of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

This occurred because attached tubing to the colonoscopy equipment was apparently not serviced and sterilized according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.  Approximately 2,500 former patients are believed to be in the Miami area and letters are being mailed today to those veterans asking them to undergo tests at the Miami VA Medical Center, the Broward County VA Clinic, the Homestead VA Clinic and the Key West VA Clinic. 

Upon learning of the situation this morning, Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) spoke with Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Mary Berrocal, Director of the Miami VA Healthcare System to learn the latest facts of the situation, thank them for their renewed effort, and also recommend that a regional, statewide and if need be, a national door to door campaign be adopted to notify the veterans that their health status may be comprised because of the procedure they underwent. Rep. Meek also requested an Official Inquiry into the matter by Mr. George Opfer, Inspector General of the VA in Washington, DC.

"Given the awful circumstances, the Miami VA Healthcare system has acted expeditiously to notify veterans of this personal health and public health danger. Needless to say, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV are communicable and what may affect as many as 3,260 individuals could quickly expand to include a much larger pool of people. While we can never adequately pay back our veterans for their service to our country and dedication to the uniform they wore, we can try to assist by providing them with the top level of medical care they deserve. The VA is a model of the type of healthcare we provide our veterans and when mistakes like this occur, it undermines the efficacy of the entire system," said Rep. Meek in his letter to the Inspector General of the VA in Washington, DC.

"Infection control is a critical concern for patients, as well as healthcare workers. Infection control measures are designed to combat everything from the spread of colds and flu to hepatitis B and C, SARS, HIV/AIDS, and other potentially life threatening diseases. That, somehow, these standard protocols were not followed will undoubtedly leave our veterans with serious misgivings about our VA system despite everything you’ve done in a very short time to give them renewed confidence. I know you are acting quickly to find and test the 3,260 patients. We share in the hope that these veterans are found to be healthy and safe," said Rep. Meek in his letter to VA Secretary Shinseki.

The MVAHS has set up a Special Care Call Center that is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Veterans may call (305) 575-7256 or toll free 1(877) 575-7256 to speak with health care staff who will be available to answer their questions and schedule an appointment for either blood test screening or to see a provider. Additionally, the MVAHS has established a Special Care Program which includes an information center which includes an information center and Special Care Clinics that are available at the Miami VA Medical Center, the Broward County VA Clinic, the Homestead VA Clinic and the Key West VA Clinic. If the veteran is located outside South Florida, the MVAHS will arrange for them to receive service at a VA facility most convenient to them. Wherever veterans receive service related to this issue, there will be no co-payment associated with the appointment or testing.

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17th Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves as the lone Democratic Floridian sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means.

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17^th Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves as the lone Florida Democrat sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means, and also sits on the House Armed Services Committee.

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