“Vendors in the OR – VA’s Failed Oversight og Surgical Implants”

http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/pdf/r_butler_hva_subcmte_on_overs...

In January 2011 the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) issued a statement regarding the DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System and the voluntary recall of the product that company initiated in August of 2010 . On the surface, the document outlines the process of taking existing stock off the inventory shelves of VHA facilities; however, despite the assurances of the missive, questions remain for veterans who may already have had the surgery. Although VHA claims to be able to prevent future use of the implants, what about veterans who have already received the implants? Is there a tracking system in place to identify veterans who have received faulty surgical implants? How are they contacted? How are the serial numbers of defective products tracked? Is the system in place at VHA robust enough to serve the best interests of the veteran patients?