Noteboom The Law Firm

VA Mishandling Medical Equipment

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) studied the tracking and reprocessing (sterilization of medical equipment) practices of 6 VA medical centers and found them lacking and insufficient. According to the report, those VA centers are threatening the safety of every veteran receiving healthcare at those facilities.

The VA is responding to that information by developing a new platform for analysis. Once the plan is developed, the VA will be able to highlight those areas where medical facilities:  

 

• are failing most often;
• are creating the highest risk of danger to veterans' safety; and
• have not complied with national standards.

 

The GAO made suggestions to the VA in order to correct the failings and oversight of tracking and reprocessing purchasing requirements and standards. The VA uses both disposable and reusable medical equipment, and, as such, implements specific policies as to the purchasing of these products and the reprocessing of the reusable equipment.

The GAO's investigation into the oversight as well as the tracking and reprocessing practices at the 6 VAs consisted of looking at documents and interviewing officials charged with oversight.

Although no purchasing requirements were found so inadequate as to cause threats to veterans seeking medical attention, the GAO did find problems with the tracking requirements and reprocessing requirements. Problems identified in oversight of these issues prevent the ability to successfully identify any noncompliance with established standards.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.