Technology can be great, but it can also be dangerous – especially when it comes to managing health records. A computer glitch affected the medications for veterans in nearly 50 Veterans Affairs Department (VA) medical centers across the nation. Unfortunately, the VA kept the problem secret – which might have caused serious injuries or death to those it attempts to help.

VA negligence

The VA updated its electronic healthcare software in August 2008, but began seeing problems only a month later. Some patients’ records weren’t showing up correctly in the database. Because of that, some veterans were given incorrect drug dosages at about a third of the VA’s 153 facilities across the nation. In fact, according to the Associated Press:

[T]here were nine reported cases where patients at the VA medical centers in Milwaukee, Durham, N.C., and Marion, Ind., were given incorrect doses, six of them involving heparin drips that were given for up to 11 hours longer than necessary. The other cases involved infusions of either sodium chloride or dextrose mixtures that were prolonged for up to 15 hours past the doctor's prescribed deadline.

So, does that amount to negligence? Many think it does and are beginning to question the VA’s handling of such matters – especially because the VA kept the matter to itself, endangering the lives of veterans who rely on the medical centers for all or most of their healthcare.

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Medical malpractice claims still lingering

Although there were no reported deaths due to the VA’s most recent software issue, the 2008 medical malpractice claims against the VA are still lingering in the minds of veterans and their families. The scandal concerned a VA doctor who was linked to at least nine deaths at a Marion, Illinois facility. Although the doctor, who received his medical degree in Bolivia, is no longer at the facility, lawsuits allege that the VA did not do a proper background check on the doctor who surrendered his Massachusetts medical license for alleged medical malpractice directly before his employment at the VA’s Marion facility. One of the lawsuits against the facility resulted in a $975,000 settlement award.

If you’ve been injured due to medical negligence, contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney to discuss your situation and evaluate your options. Consultations are free, without charge and are strictly confidential.

Been injured at VA Hospital due to medical negligence? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights. [Sponsored Link]