Denver VA Hospital Curtails Some Surgeries For Maintenance

DENVER (AP) - The Denver VA Medical Center says it will delay some surgeries and send others to outside hospitals while maintenance is performed on operating room equipment next week.

Hospital Interim Director Carolyn Adams said Thursday the work involves water pressure and filters on some surgical equipment.

She says surgeries that don't require that equipment will go on as planned.

Adams says the VA will pay for any surgeries done by outside hospitals because of the maintenance work.

Engineers don't yet know how long the work will take.

Last year, the hospital had to delay more than 115 surgeries or send the patients to other hospitals while air-handling units were checked.

The VA is building a new hospital in suburban Aurora but it has been delayed by cost overruns.

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