Proper Training, Guidelines Lacking at Many VA Clinics: Report

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Surprise inspections at 42 Veterans Affairs clinics across the United States revealed that fewer than half had proper training and guidelines for colonoscopies and other endoscopic procedures, says a report by the VA inspector general.

The findings suggest that problems with colonoscopies and other minimally invasive procedures may not be limited to three facilities implicated earlier this year, the Associated Press reported.

In February, the VA started advising 10,000 patients who underwent procedures at clinics in Miami, and Murfreesboro, Tenn., and August, Ga., to get blood tests for HIV and hepatitis.

The surprise inspections conducted in May found that just 18 (43 percent) of the 42 clinics were able to prove that they'd properly trained their staffs and that they had standard operating guidelines in place for the procedures, the AP reported.

The VA inspector general's report is to be released Tuesday at a hearing before a House Veterans Affairs subcommittee.