Dallas VA hospital ranks worst in nation

[Judi Lynn]

Dallas VA hospital ranks worst in nation
Officials say they've eliminated most problems in federal report

11:07 PM CST on Monday, January 17, 2005
By DOUG J. SWANSON / The Dallas Morning News

The Dallas veterans hospital is so dirty, dangerous and poorly managed, federal investigators have found, that it ranks as the worst such medical center in the country.
(snip)

The flagship of the North Texas system is the Dallas VA Medical Center. Investigators there found that "most patient rooms and bathrooms we inspected were unclean." Also, floors and walls "had buildups of grime," and some stretchers displayed "dried residue suggestive of body fluids."
(snip)

The inspector general's report, however, cited a variety of shortcomings. Among them:

•There were unspecified deficiencies in a number of "high-risk processes," including medication management, restraint use, invasive procedures, resuscitation and mortality review.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

(snip/...)

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/011805dnmetva.385ea.html

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[Massachusetts]

1. Is this where they film the program "Nip and Tuck" from?

[Career Prole]

2. Hey, we're vets...we know the score.

We go to the hospital we have, not the hospital we might want or wish to have. :shrug:

[Judi Lynn]

5. Damned right! Just move on!

That's what the self-sacrificing Sec. of Defense would say. He has, as you may have heard, spent entire days STANDING UP and NOT SITTING DOWN! Can you imagine the fortitude?

[Career Prole]

11. Double dee-luxe stud, that Donny.

Osmond, I mean...compared to Rummy. :eyes: Jeez, what a horrid picture!

I'm betting the crash-cart in Cheney's Fortress of Solitude doesn't have a taped door. Perhaps he'll donate it?

[0007]

3. They also could be talking about the VA Hospital in Big Springs Texas

All the parents of children that are talking to Armed Forces recuiters should be made known what their children can look forward too.

[wolfgirl]

6. Don't worry about our veterans...

the GOP guy on the Veterans Affairs Committee said health care should be only for those in real need, not for every veteran. So, why bother to keep all these hospitals in good condition 'cause we won't need 'em. The GOP has been trying to outsource veterans care for years.

[Lithos]

4. That is the VA Hospital I take my father-in-law to.

It is EXTREMELY busy and the staff heavily overworked. Not to excuse poor administration, but they are definitely feeling the effects of funding (and the lack thereof).

L-

[no_to_war_economy]

9. my father goes there as well

he has been for the last 20-30 years, he has always been frustrated with that place

thanks be to allah he is a strong 87 year old with no major problems and only needs the VA for meds and checkups

[Ezlivin]

15. That's MY VAMC!

Since I've been going to the Dallas VAMC they've built a new SCI wing.

That's where I go. The doctors and nurses are fantastic and I've never had a problem. In fact, I've written a letter of commendation to the hospital staff.

My neighbor, a fellow Navy veteran, contracted ALS and he goes out to the Dallas VAMC, also. He's there right now in his last stages of the disease. Damn, damn, damn!

When I used the Tampa VAMC they accidentally amputated the wrong leg of a man. I never forgot that blunder (and neither will the unfortunate patient)!

[Lithos]

18. The staff I've dealt with have been great

But their workload is outrageous when compared to any other type of facility I've seen. We were frankly told that if we didn't mind the drive, the VAMC up in Bonham(?) is actually faster to get in and out of, plus several of the staff actually split time between the two facilities.


L-

[Judi Lynn]

7. I don't think Americans who've never had an injured soldier

usually give this debacle a single thought. Hey, it doesn't affect their lives. What a damned pity.

What the _Bush adminstration has been doing to these men who've been harmed is unforgiveable. I've never heard of anything like it in my entire life.

Looks like the right-wing rabble simply can't be moved to give a damn, unless one of the soldiers can't take it anymore and dares to protest!

[Ironpost]

8. This is 180 degrees out from the VA hospital in Muskogee, OK

I fine it to be extremely clean and well maintained. Seems to be run very well. This is another reason for not living in Texas.

[jarab]

10. An echo of the Lexington KY VA ....

No major complaints, but over the past two years I can see a noticeable falling off from that which was experienced previously - mostly in the over-worked staff as the care is significantly less personalized and seemingly hurried.
...O...

[donsu]

12. cleanliness should be the primary action of any hospital

everything else comes after that - not enough money or workers doesn't cut it.

if the hospital cannot be kept clean then the doors should be shut until it can.

there is a line in the sand hospitals should not cross.

[0007]

13. By Probably some third world counties are in better shape, when talking

about hospitals.

[Moderator]

14. Judi Lynn

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the
copyrighted new source.


Thank you.


DU Moderator

[GoldenOldie]

16. Joint Accreditation of Hospitals JCAH

All hospitals be they civilian or military are or once had to be audited annually for accreditation. They inspect every aspect of a medical facility from cleanliness to the most minute operation. If found to be operating this poorly, they have the authority to immediately shut it down.

With all the de-regulation of these very same rules that once protected us, does anyone know the standing of the JCAH today.

Having worked with a military medical facility I am fully aware of the fear that the command held for JCAH, and each and every member of the facility understood.

[Horse with no Name]

17. Joint Commission is in full force

And more than likely employing many relatives of politicians who can't get jobs anywhere else.:)

[struggle4progress]

19. kick for iatrogenic disease