D.C. VA hospital reportedly used rusty surgical tools, contaminated water

Reports in November 2017 included findings of VA sterilization specialists


VA sterilization specialists discovered rusty medical instruments and bacteria in the water intended to sterilize the equipment at the Washington D.C. VA hospital, according to an article on the Task and Purpose website.

The VA facility was reportedly borrowing sterilization supplies from a neighboring private hospital, according to internal reports in November 2017.

The facility in DC is one of 15 VA hospitals with a one-star rating, despite it being a flagship medical care center for the VA.

In March of this year, a report from the VA Office of Inspector General revealed that a “culture of complacency” had allowed problems to persist for years, putting the lives of U.S. veterans in danger.

Read the article.

 

 



August 21, 2018


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

Grounding Healthcare Spaces in Hospitality Principles

Thoughtful design can establish the calm of a spa and the restorative feeling of a resort in healthcare spaces, bringing benefits for patients and care providers.


UC Davis Health Selects Rudolph and Sletten for Central Utility Plant Expansion

Work is already underway with substantial completion anticipated in the fall of 2027.


Cape Cod Healthcare Opens Upper 2 Floors of Edwin Barbey Patient Care Pavilion

The first two floors opened for patients in May 2025 and house the Davenport-Mugar Cancer Center.


Building Sustainable Healthcare for an Aging Population

Traditional responses — building more primary and secondary care facilities — are no longer sustainable.


Froedtert ThedaCare Announces Opening of ThedaCare Medical Center-Oshkosh

The organization broke ground on the health campus in March 2024.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.