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On January 23, Sen. Charles E.
Schumer (D-N.Y.), expressed his latest concerns regarding problems at the
Buffalo Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in a letter to Brian Stiller,
medical director at VA Western New York Healthcare System. The problems
occurred because of faulty labeling practices at the hospital in which insulin
delivery devices possibly may have been used on more than one patient during
the time period of October 19, 2010, to November 1, 2012. As many as 716
veterans could have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. In the
letter, Schumer emphasized that the Buffalo VA Medical Center should not only
provide health testing to possibly exposed veterans but also extend testing to
their family members and caregivers. Schumer based his request upon information
from relatives of the diabetic patients who were treated at the hospital.
Schumer states, “The VA must waste
no time in testing the family members and caregivers of the 716 patients in
Buffalo who were victims of the negligent and improper use of insulin pens.
These veterans and their family members who may have been exposed to
life-threatening illnesses need testing performed immediately, and every day
that goes by is another day the families’ legitimate concerns go unanswered.”
Schumer explained that family members continued to provide care to the veterans
and were unaware of their own possible exposure. He requested that they be
provided the same follow-up services as any potentially exposed veteran.
Buffalo VA Hospital spokesperson
Evangeline Conley said that the hospital is reviewing this matter and
investigating all options. According to Conley, currently the VA will provide
free testing, care, and counseling to any veteran who tests positive for any
blood-borne disease resulting from this incident.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
