PITTSBURGH – The FBI has begun an investigation into what it is referring to as a “trend” of expensive medical equipment being stolen from hospitals across the country.

With several millions of dollars in equipment already stolen, no one has yet been charged in connection with the thefts. According to West Penn Hospital officials, the FBI is aware of numerous hospitals in the region that have had scopes used in gastrointestinal procedures stolen from their facilities.

Officials from the Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania report colonoscopes, worth approximately $25,000 each, were reported stolen from three or four local hospitals about a year ago.

Officials from ACMH Hospital in East Franklin and the Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College each report numerous colonoscope thefts within the past two years from their facilities.

While no known black market exists for these specific devices, there is a legitimate market for the reselling of used medical equipment. Joseph Bellino, board member with the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he witnessed a similar trend of medical equipment thefts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area more than a decade ago.

Bellino speculates that Third World countries would fit as potential buyers for the high-quality equipment.

FBI representatives contend that the recent rash of thefts appear to be the actions of people operating on their own, and not part of a greater ring of crime.

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