Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center is in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
The center has to postpone the surgeries for the rest of the week after it has discovered an "unidentified substance" in a sterilization equipment on Wednesday, Sept 23.
So far, details have been scant. The center hasn't revealed what this substance is since it is undergoing testing and analysis. However, according to MPR News, it's a "black residue." The affected equipment is said to be working correctly, so the engineers are looking into the source of it, such as the steam generator. The affected equipment, meanwhile, is now being cleaned and may be usable starting next week after it gets inspected and recertified fit for use.
The hospital didn't mention how many surgeries are affected and when they are going to be scheduled. A team is already reaching out to patients who are affected by the postponement and rescheduling. The hospital nevertheless carried out emergency surgeries using sterilization tools not affected by the substance. Others were referred to other hospitals such as the University of Minnesota.
Meanwhile, in recent months, the medical center was accused of defrauding veterans who sought Minnesota's VA Health Care System's assistance for traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
As reported by KARE 11, a local network affiliated with NBC, the Department of Veterans Affairs had already known of "discrepancies" concerning TBI exams that go back to at least three years ago.
Based on the internal audit report the network obtained, as many as a third of the claims in a single three-month period were considered erroneous. In August, the same network exposed the medical center's tapping on unqualified health care practitioners for VA exams for 4 years since 2010. Although different specialists may be able to see TBI patients, the internal audit suggested even unapproved specialists and at least one nurse provided the services.
The Minneapolis VA, which has one of the polytrauma clinics in the country, on its part, recognized its "oversight" and has already called on at least 300 veterans for a reevaluation.
