Patients at another of our nation's hospitals reportedly became infected with hepatitis C after receiving treatment. So far 20 individuals, all of them veterans, have been diagnosed with the disease. Some apparently have hepatitis B as well. In total, 716 individuals were reportedly exposed to the infections.

The transmission of the disease was apparently due to the use of insulin pens that were tainted with infected blood at a VA hospital in a neighboring state to Pennsylvania. It is not clear what made it possible for the mix-up to occur.

Veterans impacted by the hospital negligence have apparently taken legal action and have engaged the assistance of a lawyer in the medical malpractice matter. Though a lawsuit has not yet been filed, the attorney representing many of the veterans indicated that it is a possibility. Such a filing would likely take place should the VA not agree to alternative dispute resolution such as arbitration.

While veterans who receive treatment at the hospital will likely be happy to hear that the procedures used related to patient treatment are being reviewed, that is probably of little consolation to those who have been infected with the potentially deadly disease. While treatment for hepatitis C is available, it is often a painful process and is not guaranteed to cure the infection.

Individuals who seek medical attention at hospitals throughout the nation do so assuming that they will not be injured or become more ill as a result of actions taken by those providing the treatment.

Source: WKBW, "Veterans Infected with Potentially Deadly Disease," Mitch Simon, May 10, 2013