Surgeries Postponed At VA Over 'Unidentified Substance'

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A number of surgical procedures have been postponed and rescheduled for a future date after an "unidentified substance" was discovered in the sterilizing equipment at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis.

"Until the substance is identified and the equipment cleaned, inspected and certified, the Minneapolis VA is taking extra precautions and has rescheduled most surgeries for the remainder of the week," a statement from the medical center said.

They have sent the substance to a laboratory for analysis.

The hospital said that a number of urgent, emergency procedures would be moved to either the University of Minnesota or another local hospital.