The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is standing by its decision to test a limited number of patients for infections after an investigative task force released a report in which it urged the VA to expand testing to include thousands more.
The VA has offered to screen 535 patients who received invasive procedures over an 18-year period from a dentist who failed to change gloves or sterilize instruments at the Dayton VA Medical Center in Ohio, reported the Associated Press.
The Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association task force, which includes doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals and officials, called for testing all patients seen by the dentist and also deceased patients' next of kin, reported the Dayton Daily News.
In a statement released after the report, the VA said the decision was reached carefully and it is important not to cause undue stress to veterans who aren't at risk.
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