MARION, Ill., Jan 29, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Substandard care at a Veterans
Administration medical center in Illinois was responsible for 29 surgery-related
deaths, a VA investigation reported.
The report, issued the Veterans Health Administration medical inspector,
included a litany of serious problems at the Marion VA Medical Center near
Carbondale, Ill., such as a surgical program in disarray, and problems in
oversight and leadership, hospital privileging and credentialing, The Southern
Illinoisan of Carbondale reported Tuesday.
"We found the problems ourselves; we took immediate action to keep patients from
being harmed as soon as we knew what was going on; we're extremely sorry for
what happened; and we'll hold those who created the problems accountable," said
Dr. Michael J. Kussman, VA Undersecretary for Health.
The investigation was prompted by a VA computer analysis finding nine patients
had died from October 2006 to March 2007, more than four times the rate expected
during a six-month period.
Officials suspended in-patient surgeries at the hospital in August; now only
minor surgeries are allowed.
The investigation issued 17 recommendations in areas such as quality assurance,
procedures and consistency and timeliness in reporting, as well whether further
action is warranted. Action has been taken against 12 hospital employees,
officials said.
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