Monday, September 16, 2013

32 MUERTES SOSPECHOSAS - ENDia


  • Rango del artículo 
  • 16 sep. 2013
  • El Nuevo Dia
  • POR MARGA PARÉS ARROYO Mpares@elnuevodia.com

32 MUERTES SOSPECHOSAS

Investigación federal triplica las muertes asociadas al brote bacteriano en hospital de la UPR en Carolina Atribuye el problema a serias fallas en los protocolos de higiene de la institución hospitalaria Asegura que el Departamento de Salud conocía de la

El brote comenzó antes de enero de 2013 y surgió en el hospital. Asuntos en el control de infecciones múltiples contribuyeron a la transmisión”
INFORME DEL CDC
28 de agosto 2013
DEVASTADOR INFORME DEL CDC UN INFORME confeccionado por un equipo de médicos e investigadores del Centro para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por sus siglas en inglés) sobre el Hospital de la Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR), en Carolina, reveló una situación mucho más seria de la que ha trascendido públicamente sobre el brote de la bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii. Según copia del documento, al cual El Nuevo Día tuvo acceso, fueron 69 los pacientes contagiados con la bacteria y 32 las personas infectadas que han muerto.
UN INFORME del Centro para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades resaltó la pobre higiene del Hospital de la Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR) en Carolina como una de las causas del contagio.
El documento también establece que el gobierno de Puerto Rico conocía de esta crisis desde enero de 2013, aunque fue el 17 de julio cuando contactó al CDC solicitando su ayuda. MÚLTIPLES FALLAS
Un equipo de la División de Promoción del Cuidado de la Salud del CDC -compuesto por los doctores Nora Chea, Kimberly Pringle, Shalon M. Irving y Amber Kerk- estuvo en agosto en Puerto Rico durante casi dos semanas investigando la situación. El pasado 28 de agosto el grupo emitió un informe sobre sus hallazgos en torno al brote bacteriano.
Aunque el escrito habla de 69 pacientes infectados con la bacteria, con los dos nuevos contagios anunciados esta semana el brote bacteriano ya ha afectado a 71 individuos, todos hospitalizados en la clínica carolinense.
El hallazgo principal sobre el contagio de esta bacteria fue la poca higiene. Entre las grietas en la cadena de control de infecciones, el equipo del CDC encontró pobre cumplimiento en el lavado de manos, principalmente entre terapistas respiratorios, flebotomistas (los encargados de la recolección, procesamiento y transporte de muestras de sangre) y el personal de enfermería.
También brillaban por su ausencia los desinfectantes a base de alcohol ( sanitizers ) en puntos claves de cuidado. Además, no hay una política sobre el cuidado de las uñas de las manos entre el personal hospitalario.
La entrada a cuartos de aislamiento sin guantes puestos, la salida de cuartos de aislamiento con guantes sucios y el compartir los glucómetros (instrumentos que se usan para obtener la concentración de glucosa en sangre) y los monitores para tomar los signos vitales de paciente a paciente (sin las debidas medidas de higiene) fueron otras de las fallas detectadas, además de familiares de pacientes que no seguían el requisito de usar equipo de protección personal (como guantes, batas y mascarillas) mientras visitaban a su pariente enfermo en el hospital.
El desecho de agua sucia utilizada en procesos de limpieza en los lavamanos, así como el lavado de paños de limpieza en esta área fueron otros señalamientos. Se advirtió, además, que mojar los trapos para limpiar puede bajar la concentración del desinfectante y provocar que la limpieza no sea tan efectiva en superficies y áreas de mucho contacto, como perillas, sillas y fregaderos.
El equipo del CDC también detectó incertidumbre en la adjudicación de responsabilidades en los procesos de limpieza. No estaba claro qué tareas le correspondía a los empleados de mantenimiento y cuáles a los de enfermería.
Además, los expertos encontraron deficiencias crasas en la limpieza de los laringoscopios (instrumentos médicos). Básicamente, se estaban limpiando las cuchillas sucias en la misma pila en que enjuagaban las limpias.
CULTIVOS POSITIVOS DESDE 2012
Según la investigación del CDC, fue el pasado 17 de julio cuando Salud los contactó para que los ayudaran en la pesquisa ya que, recomendaciones previas que le habían realizado al personal hospitalario, no habían detenido la transmisión de paciente a paciente.
En ese momento, Salud informó que siete pacientes de la unidad de cuidado intensivo habían arrojado positivo a la bacteria. También se informó que habían detectado otros 20 pacientes infectados, tres de ellos en julio. Además, informaron que 12 pacientes murieron, aunque no tenían información para confirmar que la bacteria había sido la causa de sus muertes.
Durante la visita del CDC, el equipo entrevistó empleados y verificó expedientes de pacientes. Se encontró que en julio de 2012 -hace más de año- ya el Hospital de la UPR en Carolina tenía 12 pacientes infectados con la bacteria.
La gran mayoría de las infecciones fue adquirida por los pacientes durante su estadía en el hospital a los 8.5 días después de haber sido hospitalizados. Más de la mitad de las personas infectadas (56.5%) eran varones.
Aunque la mayor parte de los pacientes (41%) fueron infectados en la unidad de cuidado intensivo, también se encontró una cantidad significativa de pacientes contagiados con la bacteria en otras unidades médicas en el tercero, cuarto y quinto piso de la clínica, que tiene ocho niveles.
La mayoría de los contagios fue a través de la línea central o catéter que introduce medicinas y nutrientes al cuerpo a través de una vena.
Sin embargo, los pacientes infectados también aparentan haberse contagiado a través de las unidades de Rayos X móviles y traqueotomías (procedimiento quirúrgico para crear una abertura a través del cuello dentro de la tráquea).
DURAS CONCLUSIONES
El informe del CDC concluye que el brote bacteriano comenzó antes de enero de 2013. Además, establece que el brote ocurrió en el hospital y que brechas en el control de infecciones múltiples contribuyeron a la transmisión.
El documento recalca que las fallas fueron, principalmente, en procesos inadecuados de limpieza y en bajo cumplimiento sobre el modo correcto para el lavado de manos.
“La transmisión de la bacteria en el hospital continúa, pero a una proporción más lenta”, indica el documento.
Tal como se había informado, la vigilancia epidemiológica del CDC continuará hasta que el hospital demuestre estar cuatro semanas consecutivas con cultivos negativos a la bacteria.
Posteriormente, el CDC recomendó seguir vigilando mensualmente la posible presencia de la bacteria entre pacientes que estén conectados a ventiladores mecánicos.
El CDC sugirió, además, que se mejoren las prácticas de higiene de manos, principalmente, entre empleados hospitalarios nuevos y entre los residentes médicos nuevos.
La bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii fue descrita por el CDC como un organismo capaz de producir brotes en unidades de intensivo si no se toman las debidas medidas de precaución.

Google Translation: 

Federal Research triples related deaths in hospital bacterial outbreak Carolina UPR attributes the problem to be serious flaws in the protocols of the institution hospital hygiene Ensures that the Health Department knew of the

The outbreak began before January 2013 and came to the hospital . Issues in multiple infection control contributed to the transmission "
CDC REPORT
August 28, 2013
CDC DEVASTATING REPORT REPORT prepared by a team of doctors and researchers from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC , for its acronym in English ) on the Hospital of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR ) in Carolina, revealed a much more serious situation that has transpired publicly on the outbreak of the bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii . According to copies of the document, which had access El Nuevo Dia , 

69 patients were infected with the 

bacteria and 32 people have died .

A REPORT from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted the poor hygiene of the University Hospital of Puerto Rico (UPR ) at Carolina as a cause of infection.

The document also states that the government of Puerto Rico knew of this crisis since January 2013 , although it was on July 17 when contacted CDC requesting their help. 

MULTIPLE FAILURES
A team Promotion Division Health Care CDC- comprising Drs Chea Nora , Kimberly Pringle, Shalon M. Irving and Amber Kerk - was in August in Puerto Rico for nearly two weeks researching the situation. On 28 August, the group issued a report on its findings about the bacterial outbreak .
Although the written speech of 69 patients infected with the bacteria , with the two new cases announced this week the bacterial outbreak has already affected 71 individuals , all hospitalized in the clinic carolinense .

The main finding of the spread of this bacteria was the little hygiene . 

Between the cracks in the chain of infection control, the CDC team found poor compliance in hand washing , especially among respiratory therapists , phlebotomists ( responsible for the collection, processing and transport of blood samples ) and nursing staff .
Also conspicuously absent the alcohol-based disinfectants ( sanitizers ) at key points of care. Furthermore, there is a policy on the care of fingernails on hospital staff .
The entrance to isolation rooms without gloves on, the output of isolation rooms with dirty gloves and sharing of glucometers ( instruments used to obtain the concentration of glucose in the blood) and monitors to take vital signs from patient to patient ( without proper hygiene measures ) were other faults detected , besides relatives of patients who were not required to use personal protective equipment (such as gloves , gowns and masks ) while visiting their sick relative in the hospital.
Disposal of waste water used in cleaning processes sinks and washing wipes in this area were other signs. It also warned that wet wiping cloths can lower the concentration of disinfectant and cleaning cause is not as effective on surfaces and high contact areas such as knobs , chairs and sinks.
The CDC team also found uncertainty in the allocation of responsibilities in the cleaning process . It was unclear what tasks employees belonged to maintenance and what to nursing .
In addition, experts found deficiencies in cleaning crass laryngoscopes ( medical instruments ) . Basically, they were cleaning the dirty blades in the same stack that 's rinsed clean.

POSITIVE CULTURES FROM 2012
According to the CDC report was last July 17 when Health contacted them to come and help in the investigation and that previous recommendations that had made ​​the hospital staff had not stopped transmission from patient to patient.
At that time, Health reported that seven patients in the intensive care unit had tested positive for the bacteria. It was also reported that they had detected another 20 infected patients, three of them in July. Also reported that 12 patients died , although they had no information to confirm that the bacteria had been the cause of their deaths .
CDC During the visit , the team interviewed employees and verified patient records . It was found that in July 2012 year - over - and UPR Hospital Carolina had 12 patients infected with the bacteria.
The vast majority of infections acquired by patients during their hospital stay to 8.5 days after being hospitalized . More than half of those infected (56.5 % ) were male.
Although the majority of patients ( 41 % ) were infected in the intensive care unit , also found a significant number of patients infected with the bacteria in other medical units in the third, fourth and fifth floor of the clinic , which has eight levels.
Most infections was through the center line or catheter introducing medicines and nutrients to the body through a vein.
However, infected patients also appear to have been infected through the mobile X -ray units and tracheotomy (a surgical procedure to create an opening through the neck into the trachea ) .
CONCLUSIONS HARD
The CDC report concluded that the bacterial outbreak began before January 2013. It further states that the outbreak started in the hospital and that gaps in multiple infection control contributed to the transmission.

The document emphasizes that failures were mainly inadequate cleaning processes and low compliance on the proper way to wash hands.

" The transmission of the bacteria in the hospital continues, but at a slower rate ," says the document.
As previously reported , the CDC surveillance will continue until the hospital proves to be four consecutive weeks with negative cultures for bacteria.
Subsequently, the CDC recommended monthly continue to monitor the possible presence of bacteria between patients who are connected to mechanical ventilators .
The CDC also suggested to improve hand hygiene practices , especially among new hospital employees and among new medical residents .
The bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii was described by the CDC as an organism capable of causing outbreaks in intensive units if you do not take proper precautions . 

Las estadísticas hablan: Puerto Rico camino a ser el “Detroit del Caribe” | El espejo de Detroit: ¿más impuestos o negociar con bonistas? - from CNE - Centro Para Una Nueva Economía - Center for a New Economy

» Las estadísticas hablan: Puerto Rico camino a ser el “Detroit del Caribe”
16/09/13 10:03 from CNE - Centro Para Una Nueva Economía - Center for a New Economy
Por: Laura M. Quintero Publicado: 14/09/2013 01:00 pm El economista Sergio Marxuach advirtió que si no se cambia radicalmente la forma de hacer las cosas, Puerto Rico se convertirá en “el Detroit del Caribe”: una ciudad en qu...
» El espejo de Detroit: ¿más impuestos o negociar con bonistas?
16/09/13 10:00 from CNE - Centro Para Una Nueva Economía - Center for a New Economy
Por: Ely Acevedo Denis Publicado: 24/06/2013 06:00 am Mientras la ciudad de Detroit afronta la quiebra inminente mediante medidas equitativas, como proponerle a los bonistas que también contribuyan mediante planes de pago o condonaciones...

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Piden al gobernador que aclare lo sucedido en Hospital de la UPR | Emplazan a García Padilla a que diga si instruyó a ocultar situación en Hospital UPR | Puerto Rico Hospital Deaths Investigated, Health Secretary Resigns | Popular Extends Drop on Doubt About Puerto Rico Debt Load | Bond market turns against Puerto Rico

» Piden al gobernador que aclare lo sucedido en Hospital de la UPR
15/09/13 13:37 from El Nuevo Día : Política
Rodríguez Aguiló radicó una resolución para investigar los hechos 

» Emplazan a García Padilla a que diga si instruyó a ocultar situación en Hospital UPR
15/09/13 12:36 from Primera Hora : Noticias
El representante Gabriel Rodríguez Aguiló aseguró que radicó una resolución. 

» Puerto Rico Hospital Deaths Investigated, Health Secretary Resigns - Fox News Latino
14/09/13 12:26 from alejandro garcia padilla - Google News
Puerto Rico Hospital Deaths Investigated, Health Secretary ResignsFox News LatinoAlejandro Garcia Padilla of his "immediate and irrevocable" resignation, though he did not give any specific reasons for his decision, nor did he ...



Hospital Moves to Curb Bacteria Scare as Health Chief Agrees to Probe - SJDS


» García Padilla rechaza que le pidiera la renuncia al secretario d... - El Nuevo Dia.com
14/09/13 03:35 from alejandro garcia padilla - Google News
García Padilla rechaza que le pidiera la renuncia al secretario d...El Nuevo Dia.comJuana Díaz - El gobernador Alejandro García Padilla destacó el profesionalismo del doctor Francisco Joglar al anunciar que aceptó su renuncia al puesto d...


» Dimite secretario Salud de Puerto Rico en polémica por muerte de 10 pacientes - Sur Digital (Andalucía)
13/09/13 21:00 from alejandro garcia padilla efe - Google News
Dimite secretario Salud de Puerto Rico en polémica por muerte de 10 pacientesSur Digital (Andalucía)Joglar informó al gobernador de Puerto Rico, Alejandro García Padilla, de su renuncia en una misiva en la que afirmó que su dimisión es &...


» Dimite titular de Salud de Puerto Rico por muerte de 10 pacientes - Telemetro
13/09/13 19:02 from alejandro garcia padilla efe - Google News
EFEDimite titular de Salud de Puerto Rico por muerte de 10 pacientesTelemetroSan Juan (EFE). El secretario (ministro) de Salud de Puerto Rico, Francisco Joglar, dimitió hoy de su cargo en medio de la polémica generada por la muerte de di...


» Puerto Rico health sec'y resigns after deaths at public hospital - GlobalPost
13/09/13 17:58 from alejandro garcia padilla efe - Google News
Puerto Rico health sec'y resigns after deaths at public hospitalGlobalPostSan Juan, Sep 13 (EFE).- Puerto Rico's health secretary resigned Friday amid a controversy over the death of 10 patients at a public hospital due to a bact...


» García Padilla rechaza que le pidiera la renuncia al secretario de ...
13/09/13 17:47 from alejandro garcia padilla - Google Blog Search


» Dimite secretario Salud de Puerto Rico en polémica por muerte de 10 pacientes - Diario Vasco
13/09/13 14:58 from alejandro garcia padilla efe - Google News
Dimite secretario Salud de Puerto Rico en polémica por muerte de 10 pacientesDiario Vasco... bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii. Joglar informó al gobernador de Puerto Rico, Alejandro García Padilla, de su renuncia en una misiva en la que ...


» Dimite secretario Salud de Puerto Rico en polémica por muerte de 10 pacientes - El Confidencial
13/09/13 14:53 from alejandro garcia padilla efe - Google News
Dimite secretario Salud de Puerto Rico en polémica por muerte de 10 pacientesEl ConfidencialSan Juan, 13 sep (EFE).- El secretario de Salud de Puerto Rico, Francisco Joglar, dimitió hoy en medio de la polémica generada por la muerte de d...


» García Padilla responsabiliza a administradores de hospital UPR por contagios ... - El Nuevo Dia.com
12/09/13 18:04 from alejandro garcia padilla - Google News
EFEGarcía Padilla responsabiliza a administradores de hospital UPR por contagios ...El Nuevo Dia.comEl gobernador Alejandro García Padilla fijó en los administradores la responsabilidad primaria de la situación de emergencia en un área d...


» Puerto Rico health official resigns after outbreak - Business Standard
13/09/13 22:01 from puerto rico business - Google News
Puerto Rico health official resigns after outbreakBusiness StandardHis comments come days after the epidemiology director of the island's health department said at least 10 patients at the University of Puerto Rico Hospital in the no...




Joglar resigns from Health Department
Issued: September 13, 2013
Health Secretary Francisco Joglar tendered his resignation Friday as the He ...








» #Joglar resigns from Health Department. Read: http://ow.ly/oQMij #caribbeanbusin...
13/09/13 20:16 from Puerto Rico Business Newss Facebook Wall
#Joglar resigns from Health Department. Read: http://ow.ly/oQMij #caribbeanbusiness #Joglar resigns from Health Department. Read: http://ow.ly/oQMij #caribbeanbusiness#Joglar resigns from Health Department. Read: http://ow.ly/oQMij #car...



Governor assures that Puerto Rico is on the route out of the crisis


Puerto Rico Report

La Fortaleza News Review


» Popular Extends Drop on Doubt About Puerto Rico Debt Load - Bloomberg
13/09/13 13:16 from alejandro garcia padilla - Google News
Popular Extends Drop on Doubt About Puerto Rico Debt LoadBloombergThe self-governing commonwealth of about 3.7 million people is on the brink of speculative grade as Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla strives to reduce budget deficits and...

» OppenheimerFunds Loses Most as Puerto Rico Tumbles: Muni Credit - Businessweek
13/09/13 08:39 from alejandro garcia padilla - Google News
BloombergOppenheimerFunds Loses Most as Puerto Rico Tumbles: Muni CreditBusinessweekA self-governing commonwealth of about 3.7 million people, Puerto Rico is on the brink of speculative grade as Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla, 42, str...


» Puerto Rico analyzes financing plan amid bond cuts - Sacramento BeeLa prensa...
13/09/13 19:47 from Puerto Rico Business Newss Facebook Wall
Puerto Rico analyzes financing plan amid bond cuts - Sacramento Bee La prensa Puerto Rico analyzes financing plan amid bond cuts Sacramento Bee Tanya Valle, a spokeswoman for OppenheimerFunds Inc., said the company believes that Puert...



» Puerto Rico reassesses financing plan amid cut in bond sales - Victoria Times Colonist
13/09/13 16:30 from puerto rico business - Google News
Latin American Herald TribunePuerto Rico reassesses financing plan amid cut in bond salesVictoria Times ColonistSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico is crafting a new financing plan as it seeks to reassure investors that it will not defau...
» Puerto Rico seen waiting out market storm before big deals - Reuters
13/09/13 16:24 from puerto rico economy - Google News
Puerto Rico seen waiting out market storm before big dealsReutersSickly economy a key driver. By Michael Connor. Sept 12 (Reuters) - Puerto Rico's policymakers are expected to weather with short-term borrowings a storm of worry in Am...

» Puerto Rico reassesses financing plan amid cut in bond sales - Nanaimo Daily New...
13/09/13 16:20 from Puerto Rico Business Newss Facebook Wall
Puerto Rico reassesses financing plan amid cut in bond sales - Nanaimo Daily News Puerto Rico reassesses financing plan amid cut in bond sales Nanaimo Daily News SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico is crafting a new financing plan as it..
» Bond market turns against Puerto Rico - GlobalPost
15/09/13 14:36 from alejandro garcia padilla - Google News
Bond market turns against Puerto RicoGlobalPostAlejandro Garcia Padilla, who took office in January. Puerto Rico's credit is solid and the island should benefit from the tax reforms and economic plan implemented by the governor, Paga...
» Bond market turns against Puerto Rico - GlobalPost
15/09/13 14:36 from alejandro garcia padilla efe - Google News
Bond market turns against Puerto RicoGlobalPostAlejandro Garcia Padilla, who took office in January. Puerto Rico's credit is ... Puerto Rico's securities are being treated by investors as if they were "junk bonds," Univ...
» Bond market turns against Puerto Rico - La prensa
15/09/13 14:15 from alejandro garcia padilla efe - Google News
La prensaBond market turns against Puerto RicoLa prensaAlejandro Garcia Padilla, who took office in January. Puerto Rico's credit is ... Puerto Rico's securities are being treated by investors as if they were "junk bonds,&qu...

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Video: Congressman Pierluisi's testimony at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on Puerto Rico's Political Status



Published on Aug 2, 2013
Congressman Pierluisi's testimony at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on Puerto Rico's Political Status.

Aug 1, 2013 
Statement

View the testimony here:  Written Testimony, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing on Puerto Rico's Political Status 

See also:
» An Update on Puerto Rico's Political Status
24/07/13 15:40 from Uploads by Pierluisi in Congress
An Update on Puerto Rico's Political StatusResident Commissioner Pedro R. Pierluisi delivered remarks about Puerto Rico's political status in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 24, 2013.From:PierluisiCongressViews:...
» Puerto Rico NewsLinks: Congressman Pedro R. Pierluisi Remarks ...
27/06/13 09:36 from congressman pedro r. pierluisi - Google Blog Search
Congressman Pedro R. Pierluisi Remarks at 2013 LULAC National Convention - June 21, 2013. Last November, Puerto Rico exercised its right to self-determination by holding a free and fair vote on the question of our ...

Congressman Pierluisi's testimony at Senate hearing on Puerto Rico's political status

“The Department of Justice is strongly committed to promoting compliance with federal program laws and regulations,” said U.S. Attorney Rodríguez-Vélez

Ten Current and Former U.S. Postal Service Employees and Two Doctors Arrested and Indicted in Workers’ Compensation Fraud Scheme 
Defendants Face Combined Forfeiture Allegation of More Than $620,000

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeSeptember 05, 2013
  • District of Puerto Rico(787) 766-5656
SAN JUAN—On August 30, 2013 a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned 12 separate indictments charging 10 current and former U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees and two doctors, Luis E. Faura-Clavell and Alfonso A. Madrid-Guzmán, with fraud associated with Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), announced U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez of the District of Puerto Rico. This program provides wage loss and medical benefits to employees who have become injured in the course of their official capacity within the USPS and are unable to work due to disability.
A two year investigation led by the USPS-Office of Inspector General (OIG), with assistance from the FBI, Social Security Administration-OIG, Health and Human Services-OIG, DOL-OIG, and the Puerto Rico Police Department, targeted fraud associated with OWCP claims.
Postal Service employees are covered by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), which provides tax-free benefits to civilian federal employees who sustain injuries or an occupational disease as a result of their employment. Postal employees can receive up to 75 percent if there is at least one dependent. The Postal Service is the largest FECA participant, paying more than $1 billion in benefits and $60 million in administrative fees annually.
Pursuant to OWCP guidelines, a claimant must prove that he or she is disabled by furnishing medical documentation and other evidence with their work related claim. The employee’s claim and supporting medical evidence is then evaluated by the OWCP to determine the claimant’s medical impairments and the effect of the impairment on the claimant’s ability to work on a sustained basis.
The investigation initially focused on Faura-Clavell and the medical documentation he completed to support the permanent disability of USPS claimants. Subsequently, the investigation revealed that Faura-Clavell and Madrid-Guzmán would evaluate and diagnose the claimants in an effort to justify a non-existent injury in order to deceive and persuade the OWCP to award the claimants with workers compensation benefits. The doctors would charge fees ranging up to $1,650 for the preparation of the fraudulent medical reports.
During the investigation, additional evidence revealed six of the 10 aforementioned OWCP claimants also fraudulently received Social Security Administration disability benefits.
The defendants who illegally received the workers’ compensation benefits are: Bernardo Brito-Franco; Rodolfo Vázquez-Soto; Félix Ortiz-Vázquez; Miguel Plaza-Nieves; Wilma T. Fontán; Moisés Rivera-Aponte; Samuel Badillo-Muñiz; Ricardo Rivera-Ortiz; Rafael Espinet-García; and Lydia Rivera-Rodríguez. All the defendants are facing forfeiture allegations totaling more than $620,000. Brito-Franco is also charged with health care fraud.
“The Department of Justice is strongly committed to promoting compliance with federal program laws and regulations,” said U.S. Attorney Rodríguez-Vélez. “These arrests demonstrate that we will not tolerate criminals who engage in fraudulent schemes which deplete funds of federal benefit programs which are destined for disabled individuals who really need and are entitled to them. We will continue to vigorously pursue this systemic problem.”
“Today’s indictments should send a clear message to doctors and Postal employees that defrauding the federal workers’ compensation program will not be tolerated,” said Rafael Medina, Special Agent in Charge of the USPS-OIG. “Anyone who helps Postal employees commit workers’ compensation fraud should know this is only the start of our investigative efforts to expose these false claims.”
Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Ryan of the Office of the Inspector General-Office of Investigations of the Social Security Administration stated, “These fraud conspiracy schemes involving unscrupulous medical professionals and disability claims has been exposed and those involved are being brought to justice. Our cooperative investigative work targeting these conspiracies continues. OIG will continue to work with our partners to protect the integrity of the Social Security Trust Fund and the other federal compensation programs.”
“We are proud to be a part of the federal team that brought these defendants to justice for defrauding Medicare by illegally becoming enrolled in the Program,” said Thomas O’Donnell, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General’s New York Regional Office, which also covers Puerto Rico. “Individuals who take advantage of Medicare benefits for which they do not qualify are not only diminishing funds meant for legitimate Medicare beneficiaries, they are also defrauding the taxpayers. HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners in the battle against this type of eligibility fraud.”
“Today’s arrests highlight the OIG’s commitment to investigate fraud against the federal employees’ compensation program, which provides workers’ compensation coverage to federal employees for work-related injuries and illnesses. The OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of fraud,” stated Gordon S. Heddell, Acting Deputy Inspector General of the DOL.
The case was investigated by the USPS-OIG with the collaboration of the FBI, aforementioned OIGs, and the Puerto Rico Police Department. The case was indicted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Dominguez.

After Wesolowski was removed, Lopez said he didn’t know what prompted that action and suggested it might have been a result of a personal conflict with Puerto Rico Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez Nieves | The Vatican says it is co-operating with prosecutors in the Dominican Republic who are investigating its envoy for alleged sexual abuse of teenage boys

Dominican Cardinal: Vatican Will Probe Ex-Envoy
It is believed to be the first known sex abuse investigation against a high-ranking Vatican official in recent times.
    In this March 15, 2013 photo, Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, papal nuncio for the Dominican Republic, greets people after a Mass in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Authorities in the Dominican Republic will look into allegations of child sex abuse against Wesolowski, following his abrupt removal from his post by the Vatican, Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito said Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, noting that his office is aware only of rumors. (AP Photo/Manuel Diaz)
    In this March 15, 2013 photo, Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, papal nuncio for the Dominican Republic, greets people after a Mass in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Authorities in the Dominican Republic will look into allegations of child sex abuse against Wesolowski, following his abrupt removal from his post by the Vatican, Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito said Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, noting that his office is aware only of rumors. (AP Photo/Manuel Diaz)
    The Dominican Republic’s Catholic archbishop has confirmed that the Vatican will investigate the country’s recently removed papal envoy over allegations of child sex abuse.
    Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez told reporters late Tuesday that Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski will be investigated by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the office that deals with abuse allegations.
    “This is an extremely serious issue, very serious, the most serious of its kind for the Holy See,” Lopez said.
    It is believed to be the first known sex abuse investigation against a high-ranking Vatican official in recent times, though former Vatican officials have also been accused after they left Rome.
    Lopez said he personally traveled to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis to talk about the allegations involving the 65-year-old Wesolowski.
    “I compiled some reports. There were confidential reports, but obviously I have no evidence for those,” he said. “It’s up to the Holy See to investigate.”
    A Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, previously said the church was investigating Wesolowski, but gave no details, and Dominican church officials denied they involved allegations of child sex abuse.
    Lopez’s comments come shortly after Dominican prosecutor Bolivar Sanchez said he has interviewed seven boys between 13 and 18 years old as part of the investigation. He said three of them work on the streets of the capital of Santo Domingo while the remaining four live elsewhere. Local news media have said some of the youths shine shoes.
    Sanchez declined further comment except to qualify some of the teens’ allegations as coherent.
    Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito said if the government finds any concrete evidence against Wesolowski, it would seek his extradition. He noted, however, that the Dominican Republic has no extradition agreement with the Vatican.
    Wesolowski was removed on Aug. 21 after serving as the Vatican’s representative in the Dominican Republic since 2008. His whereabouts are unclear.
    Dominican prosecutors launched their investigation last week, largely in response to local media reports of allegations of sexual misconduct by Wesolowski as well as a friend and fellow Polish priest, who is also outside the country.
    After Wesolowski was removed, Lopez said he didn’t know what prompted that action and suggested it might have been a result of a personal conflict with Puerto Rico Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez Nieves.
    Wesolowski had also served as apostolic delegate to the U.S. territory.
    Gonzalez’s spokesman, Samuel Soto, said he did not have any immediate comment on Lopez’s remarks or the ongoing investigation.
    Pope Benedict XVI had named Wesolowski to the post in 2008. He had previously served as papal nuncio in Kazakhstan, Tadjikistan, Kyrgzstan and Uzbekistan and Bolivia.
    He was ordained a priest in 1972 and entered the Vatican’s diplomatic service in 1980, serving in Vatican embassies in Africa, Costa Rica, Japan, Switzerland, India and Denmark, the Catholic news agency Zenit reported when he was named Dominican nuncio in 2008.

    Vatican denies shielding envoy over sex abuse in Dominican Republic

    Ambassador recalled to Rome before Dominican Republic prosecutors announce investigation
    Saturday, 14 September, 2013, 3:46am

    The Vatican says it is co-operating with prosecutors in the Dominican Republic who are investigating its envoy for alleged sexual abuse of teenage boys.
    The explosive case has raised legal questions about the Holy See's responsibilities when accused priests come from within its own ranks.
    Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi denied the Vatican was trying to shield Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski by recalling him to Rome before Dominican prosecutors had announced their probe.
    Wesolowski was recalled on August 21 and relieved of his job as apostolic nuncio after the archbishop of Santo Domingo, Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez, told Pope Francis about the allegations in July.
    Dominican prosecutors announced their probe last week, largely in response to local media reports of allegations of misconduct by Wesolowski, 65, as well as a friend and fellow Polish priest, who is also outside the country.
    Dominican prosecutor Bolivar Sanchez said he interviewed seven boys, aged between 13 and 18. Three of them worked on the streets of Santo Domingo, while the remaining four lived elsewhere. Some of the youths shine shoes. Sanchez described some of the allegations as coherent.
    Wesolowski is the highest-ranking Vatican official to be investigated for alleged sex abuse, and his case has raised questions about whether the Vatican, by removing him from Dominican jurisdiction, had effectively placed its own church investigation ahead of that of authorities in the Caribbean nation.
    Lombardi said: "His recall is by no means an effort to avoid taking responsibility for what might possibly be verified."
    He said that early this month the Vatican had told the Dominican ambassador to the Vatican that it would co-operate with Dominican authorities with whatever they might need.
    The Vatican's own rules for conducting sex abuse investigations under church law call for co-operation with civil authorities and reporting abuse allegations to police where such laws require it. Those norms were crafted in the wake of the explosion of sex abuse cases in 2010, where thousands of people came forward around the world detailing abuse by priests who were never reported to police, even though their bishops knew they were paedophiles.
    Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito said if the government found any concrete evidence against Wesolowski it would seek his extradition.