Hepatitis and HIV Risk For Miami VA Patients

Steven — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 05:02:18 +0000

During an internal review of hospital safety, the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center discovered on March 4th that a part of the equipment used in colonoscopies and other gastrointestinal procedures was not being disinfected, only rinsed – contrary to the manufacturer’s recommendation. This suboptimal sterilization of equipment has led hospital officials to announce a potential increase in risk of HIV and hepatitis transmission for those who have undergone gastrointestinal procedures at the medical center, although there’s no evidence that any patients have been infected. The hospital has sent letters to over 2,500 veterans, and are still trying to reach another 700. Concerned patients and family can call the 24 hour Miami VA hotline at 305-575-7256 or toll free at 1-877-575-7256.

Holidays Remind Patients To Keep Their Appointments

Steven — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:02:37 +0000

Is it new year resolutions time again? Researchers from Norway report that patients who were scheduled for colonoscopies around the December-January holiday season were one and a half times more likely to keep their appointments. Similarly, patients who were given medical appointments in the weeks immediately subsequent to their birthdays had higher attendance rates. The researchers believe that reminders of aging triggered by annual milestones may be the underlying mechanism for the increased compliance. This certainly sounds logical. Screening programs – and physicians at large – should keep this in mind as a cost-effective way of improving patient compliance.

RightHealth Daily Dose » colonoscopy

Hepatitis and HIV Risk For Miami VA Patients

Holidays Remind Patients To Keep Their Appointments