VA Releases Data on Deaths – More than Expected

Report on the Table

VA just released a report on the deaths of now 23 veterans resulting from botched gastrointestinal care.

For the past year, VA has been hounded over allegations of cover-ups at facilities across the country. Now, VA has finally released information confirming the allegations.

Previous estimates claimed 19 veterans died and around 60 were adversely impacted. We now know the numbers are quite a bit higher.

As a result of the consult delay issue VA discovered at two of our medical centers, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) continues to conduct a national review of consults across the system.  We have redesigned the consult process to better monitor consult timeliness. We continue to take action to strengthen oversight mechanisms and prevent a similar delay at another VA medical center. We take any issue of this nature extremely seriously and offer our sincerest condolences to families and individuals who have been affected and lost a loved one.

Based on findings from a system-wide review of high interest consults and new cases of gastrointestinal malignancy, VA identified 76 patients in our health care system for whom institutional disclosures were provided or attempted, based predominantly on their gastrointestinal care.  Of these 76 patients, 23 have passed away.

Read the VA Deaths Report here.

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4 Comments

  1. I have been in a Mexican jail and I have received “medical care” from the VA. As regards honesty and humane treatment of inmates, I much prefer the Mexican jails.

  2. BROTHERS, WE NEED TO ALL PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PAID THE “ULTIMATE” PRICE FOR THEIR FAITH IN THE VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. EW MAY NOT AMEND THIS SITUATION IN OUR LIFETIMES, BUT WE CAN(AS THOSE BEFORE US DID)GET THE “BALL” ROLLING.

  3. Scary. I’ve had a colonoscopy scheduled and canceled and rescheduled 4 times since last year. Now I think im going to pass on the VA medical colonoscopy and see a private physician in fear that they may kill me off! Im seriously scared to get this done in June with the VA. The anxiety im feeling is terrible and quite worrisome.

    1. I had a colonoscopy done three years ago at my nearby VAMC and I was not negatively affected. They gave me an anesthetic and the procedure took about 20 minutes or so and afterward I got a ride home. There was nothing for me to fear and I’m glad I had it done.

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