IG probes uncover more problems at VA hospitals

[nitpicker]

http://thehill.com/policy/defense/258652-ig-probes-uncover-more-problems-at-va-hospitals

IG probes uncover more problems at VA hospitals

By Bradford Richardson - 10/30/15 10:12 AM EDT

Three new reports were released this week demonstrating deficiencies at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals. The VA Office of Inspector General (IG) released separate reports on clinics in Alaska, Illinois and California showing protracted delays and mismanagement at the hospitals dedicated to providing care for veterans.
(snip)

The first evaluation, conducted at a clinic in Los Angeles and released on Wednesday, found that a patient, who later died, “experienced a delay in obtaining a surgical consult to address his complaints of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).”
(snip)

The report also said the Los Angeles facility had “significant numbers of neurology consults open longer than 90 days,” which the clinic blamed on a failure to “close consults properly after patients had been seen.”
(snip)

The second report, released on Thursday and evaluating a clinic in Marion, Ill., found that nearly all of the independent practitioners reviewed did not have the necessary skills and training to perform their jobs. It also said the facility did not have a “defined plan or policy to have a qualified surgeon available 24/7 on all within 60 minutes."

The third evaluation, released on Thursday and assessing a clinic in Anchorage, Alaska, found that clean and dirty items were stored together 75 percent of the time in patient care areas. The facility also failed to correct four deficiencies in physical security at facility pharmacies that were identified at least two years ago, and inspectors did not consistently complete pharmacy inspections.

Eighty percent of the clinicians at the Alaska facility were not qualified in suicide-prevention training, and 30 percent of patients assessed to be at high risk of suicide did not have documented safety plans in their health records.

(snip)

[newfie11]

1. They are shutting ours down

Now vets must drive minimum of 100 miles one way from here and many in rural areas200-300 miles one way.

This hospital was a very good VA hospital but it n the last 10 years the government has eliminated many positions. Now it's a shell of its former self!

Hot Springs, SD

[The River]

2. All Small Problems

Clerical, storage, unqualified in one aspect of care. Bullshit article.
The "Concerned Veterans for America" group they mention is a fake Vets group
created to complain about the VA. It is Koch brother sponsored front group
Look, there is an organized effort to privatize the the VA so business can
make a profit. These report were done by VA inspectors. They are trying to identify
and correct problems. This is all they can find? Even Hillary (who I distrust) has
said the problems are not that widespread. I know they aren't.
These are petty, nitpicking items.
Don't spread this kind of info. It's not helpful.

I've used world class hospitals and I've used VA hospitals. I think the VA
does a much better job when it comes to Veterans health care. I've had
some very tricky operations @ VA facilities. They bring in well qualified specialists
from other hospitals if necessary. At for profit hospitals you are just another cash-cow.
At VA hospitals they treat you like a person. They listen to you, they get get to know you.
Your records are available if you travel and need to use a different VA hospital.

I just scheduled cataract surgery for the end of November.
They even booked me a nearby hotel room
so can I be close by for the next moring followup. (I live 60 miles away)

[pinboy3niner]

3. Agree. And note that the original source is a neoconservative publication.

The Washington Free Beacon is an American web site that publishes news and associated content from a neoconservative perspective. ....

The site is noted for its aggressive, ideologically driven reporting....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Free_Beacon