Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Prostate Raditiation Errors, Vet Files Medical Malpractice Claim

"A Vietnam veteran and former Special Forces officer has presented a claim against the federal government in connection with botched cancer treatments performed by what has been referred to as a “rogue” cancer unit at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center.

Barry Lackro, 59, is one of nearly 100 veterans that received substandard treatment from a Veteran Affairs unit that performed brachytherapy treatment on prostate cancer patients, according to a story in the Philadelphia Inquirer."

"Lackro’s problems with the VA did not begin with the brachytherapy treatment. In October, 2004, shortly after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, VA doctors tried to remove his prostate despite Lackro’s warnings that he had two hernia meshes inserted previously. After six and a half hours on the operating table, VA doctors determined that removal of Lackro’s prostate was not a viable treatment.

Lackro’s claim against the VA comes amidst a string of high-profile Veterans Affairs controversies this year involving the quality of medical care provided. Just before the Philadelphia VA cancer clinic issues were publicly disclosed, a congressional hearing was held to look into colonoscopy contamination problems at several VA facilities that exposed thousands of patients to HIV, hepatitis and other blood borne diseases. It has been discovered that unsanitary and improperly used endoscopic equipment exposed veterans to the bodily fluids of other patients over a period of several years at some facilities."

Full Article:
Philadelphia VA Hospital Malpractice Claim Filed Over Cancer Clinic Problems