Rep. Harry E. Mitchell Holds a Hearing On Endoscopy Procedures at the Va: What Happened, What has Changed?

Political Transcript Wire › October 07, 2009

Linked as:

Extract

Rep. Harry E. Mitchell Holds a Hearing On Endoscopy Procedures at the Va: What Happened, What has Changed?

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS, SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS HOLDS A HEARING ON ENDOSCOPY PROCEDURES AT THE VA: WHAT HAPPENED, WHAT HAS CHANGED?

JUNE 16, 2009

SPEAKERS: REP. HARRY E. MITCHELL, D-ARIZ., CHAIRMAN REP. ZACK SPACE, D-OHIO REP. TIM WALZ, D-MINN. REP. JOHN ADLER, D-N.J. REP. JOHN HALL, D-N.Y., REP. BOB FILNER, D-CALIF. EX OFFICIO

REP. PHIL ROE, R-TENN. RANKING MEMBER REP. CLIFF STEARNS, R-FLA. REP. BRIAN P. BILBRAY, R-CALIF. REP. STEVE BUYER, R-IND. EX OFFICIO

REP. CORRINE BROWN, D-FLA.

REP. BART GORDON, D-TENN.

REP. KENDRICK B. MEEK, D-FLA.

REP. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, R-FLA.

REP. PAUL BROUN, R-GA.

WITNESSES: JOHN D. DAIGH JR., M.D., CPA, ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR HEALTHCARE INSPECTIONS, OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

JEROME HERBERS, M.D., ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL CONSULTATION AND REVIEW, OFFICE OF HEALTHCARE INSPECTIONS, OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

GEORGE WESLEY, M.D., DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL CONSULTATION AND REVIEW, OFFICE OF HEALTHCARE INSPECTIONS, OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

LIMIN CLEGG, PH.D., DIRECTOR OF THE BIOSTATISTICS DIVISION, OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

WILLIAM DUNCAN, M.D., ASSOCIATE DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY FOR HEALTH FOR QUALITY AND SAFETY, VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

JIM BAGIAN, M.D., CHIEF PATIENT SAFETY OFFICER, VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

NEVIN WEAVER, DIRECTOR OF VISN 8

LAWRENCE BRIO, DIRECTOR OF VISN 7

JOSEPH PELLACHIA, M.D., INTERIM NETWORK OFFICE, MEDICAL OFFICER AND CHIEF OF STAFF, HUNTINGTON VA MEDICAL CENTER

JOHN VARA, M.D., CHIEF OF STAFF, MIAMI VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

JUAN MORALES, M.D., DIRECTOR, TENNESSEE VALLEY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

REBECCA WILEY, DIRECTOR, CHARLIE NORWOOD VA MEDICAL CENTER

MARY BERROCAL, DIRECTOR, MIAMI HEALTHCARE, VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

[*] (TODAY'S HEARING IS JOINED IN PROGRESS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CHAIRMAN DID NOT TURN ON THE MICROPHONE. EVERY EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO OBTAIN THE AUDIO FROM ALTERNATE SOURCES. A CORRECTED COPY WILL BE SENT IF AND WHEN A BACKUP SOURCE IS AVAILABLE.)

MITCHELL: ... will not happen again. I (inaudible) will be done to care for those who may have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis. And I want to know how they are going to (inaudible) and regain the trust of the veterans they serve.

In closing, I would like to acknowledge the VA's cooperation, as this subcommittee prepared for today's hearing. But despite this cooperation and enhanced transparency with the new administration, we must continue to provide persistent oversight to identify problems, motivate improvement, and help the VA to provide the safe and thorough care veterans deserve.

Before I recognize the ranking Republican member for his remarks, I would like to swear in our witnesses. I ask that all witnesses please stand and raise their right hand, from both panels, the first panel and the second.

Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Thank you. I would now like to recognize Dr. Roe for his opening remarks.

ROE: Thank you for yielding, Mr. Chairman. This very important hearing was scheduled at the request of Ranking Member Buyer, due to the seriousness of the allegations involved in the improper disinfecting and cleaning of instruments used during endoscopic procedures such as colonoscopies.

I am pleased we have had the opportunity to review what procedures were in place at the time the incidents occurred in Augusta, Murfreesboro and Miami, and what the VA has done to address and correct VA-wide problems.

On December 1st, 2008, the VA medical center at Murfreesboro, Tennessee identified a problem relating to the reprocessing of endoscopic equipment. VA Central Office requested that all facilities review their processes to ensure that they were compliance with the manufacturer's instructions.

These reviews identified significant reprocessing issues at the Augusta VA Medical Center and the Miami VA Medical Center. Both of these issues required patient notification and te...

See the full content of this document