Bennet Seeks Information on Potential Effects of Tainted Wipe Recall on Colorado Veterans

Recently Recalled Medical Wipes Found in 38 VA Facilities Across Country

Washington, DC—Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet is pushing for more information on a recent recall of medical products that may have affected veterans seeking treatment at Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical facilities. In a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Under Secretary for Health Robert Petzel, Bennet asked for the VA to provide more information on how the recall has affected VA medical centers and veterans receiving treatment.

The recall dates back to January 3, when Triad Group of Hartland, Wisconsin, voluntarily recalled millions of products that contained a lubricating jelly found to be unsterile. Initially, 153 VHA major medical facilities and the VA Consolidated Mail Out Patient Pharmacy participated in the recall of Triad products, which were found in 38 facilities.

Bennet is asking the VA if any of the facilities found to possess the products are located in Colorado and how many Colorado patients were notified that they had received these products.  He is also is asking if any veterans in Colorado or other states across the country were affected or injured by these products.

“Providing top quality medical care to those who have sacrificed so much for our country is part of our promise to our veterans.  It is important that we have a sense of the size and scope of the recall and work together to ensure that any recalled Triad products do not have adverse effects on our nation’s veterans,” Bennet said.  “The VA is the largest health care system in the country and more information regarding the recall’s effect on VHA medical centers will help provide a better understanding of the overall effect of this recall nationwide.” 

At least one death and more injuries nationwide, including in Colorado, have been associated with the recalled products, which include alcohol prep products, including swabs, wipes, and pads that were found to be contaminated with the bacteria Bacillus cereus.  These products were reportedly sold by Triad to hospitals, health providers, pharmacies, and retail distributors.

Full text of letter follows:


May 9, 2011

Robert A. Petzel, M.D.

Under Secretary for Health

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

810 Vermont Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C.

20420

Dear Dr. Petzel:

I am writing regarding a recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall and its potential effects on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities.  Earlier this year, the Triad Group of Hartland, Wisconsin, instituted a voluntary recall of millions of products due to contamination and sterilization problems in the manufacturing process.  In light of these events, please provide more information on how the recall has affected Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical centers and veterans receiving treatment.

As you know, on January 3, 2011, Triad Group recalled millions of products that contained a lubricating jelly found to be unsterile.  Alcohol prep products, including swabs, wipes, and pads, were found to be contaminated with the bacteria Bacillus cereus.  These products were reportedly sold by Triad to hospitals, health providers, pharmacies, and retail distributors, and they have become associated with at least one death and more injuries nationwide, including in Colorado.

It is apparently the case that 153 VHA major medical facilities and the VA Consolidated Mail Out Patient Pharmacy participated in the initial recall of Triad products and that, of those 153 facilities, the recalled product was found in 38.  I also understand that the VHA wisely took proactive steps to contact any patients who may have received affected products.

Given that recalled products have been found in almost 25 percent of the VA medical facilities, please provide more information on any at-risk Colorado facilities and veterans.  Specifically, were any of the 38 facilities found to possess the products located in Colorado?  If so, how many Colorado patients were notified due to receiving these products?  And, finally, were any veterans, in Colorado or other states across the country, affected or injured by these products?

The VHA is the largest health care system in the country and continues to provide medical care to veterans in Colorado and elsewhere.  VHA medical facilities provide quality medical care that is tailored to the needs of those who have sacrificed much for our country.  For that very reason, I look forward to working with you to ensure that any recalled Triad products do not have adverse effects on our nation’s veterans.  In addition, more information regarding the recall’s effect on VHA medical centers will help provide a better understanding of the overall effect of this recall nationwide. 

Thank you for your continued work.  Please contact me or have your staff contact Andrew Leahy at (202) 224-5852.  I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Michael F. Bennet

United States Senator