Denver VA halts some surgeries over sterilization concerns

Denver’s Veterans Affairs hospital is holding off on complicated surgeries and shipping reusable equipment like forceps to Cheyenne for sterilization.

KMGH-TV reports Denver VA Medical Center spokesman Dan Warvi says the hospital is looking for a local alternative to Cheyenne as officials resolve quality control issues in the sterilization process.

Warvi said heart surgeries and other similarly involved procedures are being postponed or patients are being referred to alternative health care providers at no additional cost.

The Denver VA stopped conducting surgeries in August over air system issues. Dozens of veterans had surgeries delayed in September and October over sterilization and contamination concerns.

United Veterans Committee of Colorado President Frank McCurdy says this exemplifies the need for a new facility to replace the aging Denver VA.