Seems The Vets Are Really Taking It In The...

There's one word that comes to mind. Yuck! Never been to a VA hospital, but have heard some amazing horror stories about them. This one's pretty bad.

More than 22,000 veterans who underwent prostate biopsies at veterans' hospitals across the country are being warned that improperly sterilized equipment may have exposed them to deadly viruses.

No patient is known to have been infected but the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is offering free blood tests as a precaution, said VA spokesman Jim Benson. The prostate biopsy equipment includes a probe that, if improperly cleaned, could retain traces of body fluids containing the viruses that cause hepatitis or AIDS.

It's possible but unlikely that someone could get infected that way, said Michael Erdmann, chief of staff of the Milwaukee VA Medical Center.

"We're concerned for the safety of our patients, but really, the odds are really quite low," he said.

I hope no one tests positive, but should they, I hope they sue the pants off (pun intended) the VA.

I really don't think this is a laughing matter. Sorry if I offended you.

Cross posted at Spiiderweb.