Dirty Surgical Equipment VA Medical Center

Dirty Surgical Equipment At VA Medical Center Force Cancellations

Dirty Surgical Equipment VA Medical Center

Dirty surgical equipment at Washington DC VA Medical Center forced cancellation of at least 9 surgeries Friday following a string of other safety concerns.

Surgical equipment in question was discolored. A VA official said staff at the location believed the discoloration was due to improper use of solvent. Trainers were brought in to ensure staff at the location know how to properly sterilize surgical equipment.

RELATED: Over 40,000 Veterans Appeals Ignored

The agency says no veterans were harmed by the mishap. However, given VA’s track record of obfuscating medical malpractice and negligence investigations, it seems improbable that anyone would rely on the promises of the agency.

This incident follows a string of VA safety concerns at the Washington DC VA Medical Center in the recent past not to mention the director’s scandal resulting in termination.

RELATED: Five Deaths Linked To VA Medical Care

Safety Concerns At Washington DC VA Medical Center

Former director Brian Hawkins was terminated following an investigation into misconduct and failure to properly manage the facility. Secretary David Shulkin put Hawkins on reassignment pending the outcome of his investigation because he put patient lives at unnecessary risk. These shortfalls included:

  • 18 of 25 sterile storage areas were dirty
  • Clean supplies were mixed with dirty supplies
  • $150 million in supplies was not inventoried
  • Non-inventoried supplies were expired or near expiration with no plan to replenish
  • 194 patient safety reports were filed based on unavailable equipment or supplies since 2014

RELATED: Feds Stop VA Employee Opioid Stealing Scheme

Additional findings from the NBC I-Team reported:

The incident is the latest in a string of safety concerns uncovered at the medical center. A June report by the I-Team also revealed the agency hired a contractor to fix potentially unsafe floor cracks in the facility’s surgery department in March. VA officials also ordered repairs of holes in the walls of the facility’s “center core areas,” completing the project in mid-February.

The facility suffered a cockroach infestation and a lack of sanitary conditions in its food service areas in 2015, according to federal records reviewed by the I-Team. An agency spokeswoman told the I-Team the problems have since been remedied.

A separate I-Team investigation revealed a patient’s body went undiscovered in a car in the parking lot outside the main entrance of the medical center in May. A family member told the I-Team she searched and found the man’s body after getting little response to her phone calls from medical center employees. A VA spokesman said the agency has since strengthened its security policies for monitoring patients outside the facility, including patients who appear to be sleeping in their vehicles.

Apparently, problems persist at the facility concerning sterilization procedures even after the departure of Hawkins.

Source: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Washington-DC-VA-Medical-Center-Cancels-Surgeries-Over-Concerns-About-Surgical-Equipment-Safety-456429453.html

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60 Comments

  1. Don’t be fooled by anyone. This is a start, a no brainer, and forever to be true . . .

    No Accountability + No Auditing = Corruption and Crime Increases

    – – – Nutter.

  2. DOJ Files On Behalf of 28 Servicemembers’, Homes Which Were Illegal confiscated: Indicts Former VA Employee
    November 10, 2017

    “https://www.sofmag.com/doj-files-on-behalf-of-28-servicemembers-homes-which-were-illegal-confiscated-indicts-former-va-employee/”

    ““As we reflect this Veterans Day on the great debt we owe to those who have fought so hard for our freedom, we also reaffirm our commitment to protecting the rights of those who serve,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John M. Gore of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our men and women in uniform make immense personal sacrifices to keep our country safe. Losing their home to an unlawful foreclosure should not be one of them.””

    1. Seymore,
      On everything, the illegal activities costing VA taxpayers monies, you’ve brought out today. Does everyone see HOW these incidents would be one reason why VA needs to continually go to Congress “begging for more taxpayers monies!”

      The VA needs to be shut down and everyone FIRED!
      “FUCK the VA!”

  3. Today it occurs to me that a copy and paste from one of VA’s words needs a REAL follow up here! I pasted the dictionary definition of the word they used to describe what happened below, but read their words first! I call for an IMMEDIATE investigation of the ceilings in all VA surgical centers! There may be more to this story hanging around, at least if you do not trust how VA defines the word “none” …

    VA’s words: “The agency says no veterans were harmed by the mishap.”

    Now below is the copy and paste definition from the dictionary of how they characterized the event;

    mis·hap

    noun
    an unlucky accident.

    “although there were a few minor mishaps, none of the pancakes stuck to the ceiling”

    synonyms: accident, trouble, problem, difficulty, setback, adversity, misfortune, blow;

    1. Given the number of VA employees who are Batshit Crazy at the VA. The all the bat guano must lubricate the ceilings so the pancakes can’t stick.

      Maybe that is why they keep all the Batshit Crazies working there. Or maybe because Shulkin spreads so much Bull Fertilizer every time he opens his mouth they need the guano just in case they run out. That is so they can keep all their plants flowering properly.

      Down To Earth High Phosphorus Bat Guano – 5 lb $24.99

      Walmart “https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/bat-guano-fertilizer”

      1. With the very high number of Blooming Idiots flowering each year at the VA Health Care Facilities. You know that it takes a lot of Bullshit to keep them flowering.

    2. Nevermind the pancake meeting the ceiling briefly and picking-up all that black mold, insects, MRSA, a dash of C-DIFF, and just a *pinch* of Legionnaires to make those pancakes go down with a deep cough…rat bastards!

      1. Just wait until the media finds out that the bad VA art today is NOT a surgical unit but in fact is a photo of a VA certified chicken preparation station at the facilities patient kitchen.

        This station inspects the meal prior to delivery to ascertain it meets VA standards. The photo clearly shows VA chicken meant for patients being quartered and divided for the plates after it has passed this rigorous inspection, but the media could be VERY interested in learning VA does NOT use free range chickens. This could cause outrage!

        Speaking of the plates used for the patients…what is that discoloration on them anyway??? Is that color cause by a poor application of soap or is the color from something other than misapplication of soap…?

        Please pass the mashed potatoes.

      2. On chickens and the VA AFGE herd: All future appointments for the therapeutic whirlpool physical therapy baths in all VHA’s are closed to Veterans until further notice, or until KFC ceases to produce their new KFC Scented Extra Crispy Fried Chicken Bubble Bath. Yep, it exists, and the purple teams are now marinating and all hungry, hungry hippos festivities will also now take place in the chicken bubble bath broth.

  4. For Profit School and G.I. Bill
    ________________________

    Department of Justice
    U.S. Attorney’s Office
    District of New Jersey

    For Immediate Release – October 17, 2017

    “Two Women, Including Former Associate Dean Of Caldwell University, Admit Defrauding Veterans’ GI Bill”

    NEWARK, N.J. – Two women today admitted their roles in a conspiracy that fraudulently obtained over $24 million from the Post-9/11 GI Bill, a federal education benefits program designed to help veterans who served in the armed forces following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

    Lisa DiBisceglie, 56, of Lavallette, New Jersey, the former Associate Dean of the Office of External Partnerships at Caldwell University, and Helen Sechrist, 61, of Sandy Level, Virginia, a former employee of the Pennsylvania-based company Ed4Mil LLC, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court to separate informations charging them each with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

    “DiBisceglie and Sechrist were part of an elaborate bait-and-switch scheme that stole millions of dollars in Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition assistance,” Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick said. “Instead of receiving a quality education under the Caldwell brand, the veterans that were recruited by Ed4Mil were enrolled in unapproved online courses without their knowledge, all while members of the conspiracy profited from their hard-earned benefits. Prosecuting fraud against the government is always a top concern of our office, especially when the conduct shamelessly exploits our servicemen and women for financial gain.”

    “The VA’s Post-9/11 GI Bill is a comprehensive educational program meant to help our nation’s veterans advance their education and careers as they move from military service to civilian life. Defrauding this important VA program costs our nation’s taxpayers and VA and does a tremendous disservice to our veterans,” said Donna L. Neves, Special Agent in Charge, Northeast Field Office, U.S. Department of Veterans, Office of Inspector General. “VA OIG is committed to working closely with our fellow law enforcement partners and thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey for their dedication to this time-intensive, complex case.”

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides educational assistance to eligible veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces by paying for veterans’ tuition, housing costs, and other educational expenses as long as their courses meet certain criteria. Due to the fact that these tuition benefits are paid by the United States directly to the school, all entities involved in developing and administering the courses must be fully disclosed to the United States in order to assess the courses for approval.

    From 2009 through August 2013, Ed4Mil founder and president David Alvey, 50, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, along with DiBisceglie, Sechrist, and others, conspired to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in tuition assistance and other education-related benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

    As part of the conspiracy, DiBisceglie helped Ed4Mil get approval from Caldwell’s administration to develop and administer a series of non-credit online courses for veterans in Caldwell’s name. In order for the courses to be eligible for education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, DiBisceglie, Alvey, and others prepared and submitted an application with the Veterans Administration stating that the courses were developed, taught, and administered by Caldwell faculty and met Caldwell’s stringent educational standards. As a result, the courses were subsequently approved, and Sechrist, Alvey, and others aggressively marketed the courses to veterans who were eligible to receive the benefits.

    However, Caldwell did not participate in developing or teaching the online courses. Instead, the veterans were ultimately enrolled in online correspondence courses developed and administered by a sub-contractor of Ed4Mil. Neither Ed4Mil nor its sub-contractor were disclosed to the government, and neither were eligible to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

    At all times during the conspiracy, DiBisceglie, Sechrist, Alvey, and others concealed the true nature of the courses from the government and the veterans who enrolled in the courses. Thousands of veterans enrolled in the online courses believing they were taking courses from Caldwell. Altogether, the scheme caused the United States to pay over $24 million in tuition benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

    “Scams like this steal money from hardworking taxpayers and legitimate students – and in this case, our veterans – and that is completely unacceptable,” said Debbi Mayer, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Northeastern Regional Office. “I’m proud of the work of the OIG special agents and our law enforcement partners for holding Ms. DiBisceglie and Ms. Sechrist accountable for their criminal actions.”

    “The guilty pleas by DiBisceglie and Sechrist send a clear and unequivocal message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue fraud against the government. These crimes are especially egregious since they target our veterans and the educational system,” stated Timothy Gallagher, Special Agent in Charge of the Newark FBI Field Office.

    The wire fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for Jan. 24, 2018.

    The charge and allegations against Alvey are still pending, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigation Division, Northeast field office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Neves in Newark; the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gallagher in Newark; and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mayer of the Northeastern Region, with the ongoing investigation.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Eskew, David Malagold, and Nicole Mastropieri of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jafer Aftab of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Unit.

    Source U.S. Department of Justice Press Release #17-386

    “https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/two-women-including-former-associate-dean-caldwell-university-admit-defrauding-veterans”

  5. _________________
    Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs
    For Immediate Release – Thursday, November 9, 2017

    “Former Department of Veterans Affairs Employee Indicted on Charges of Wire Fraud, Bribery and Theft”

    A federal grand jury sitting in the District of Columbia returned an indictment yesterday charging a former Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) official with a scheme to steal benefit money for veterans in need from the VA.

    Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division made the announcement.

    Russell M. Ware, 39, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was charged with four counts of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to steal more than $66,000 from the VA. Ware was also charged with one count of bribery and one count of theft of government property.

    According to the indictment, between September 2013 and May 2014, Ware devised a scheme to steal more than $21,000 in VA disability benefit money, which he had wired to his own bank account. The indictment further alleges that from October 2014 to February 2015, Ware directed additional disability benefits totaling almost $46,000 to a friend, Jacqueline Crawford, 33, of Gulfport, Mississippi, who was not entitled to receive the money. Crawford then kicked back more than $13,000 to Ware, at Ware’s direction, usually through the use of Walmart2Walmart money transfers. Crawford pleaded guilty in February 2017, to an information charging her with a single count of theft of government property related to the scheme, and is awaiting sentencing.

    An indictment is not a finding of guilt. It merely alleges that crimes have been committed. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    The case is being investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Richard B. Evans and Rebecca Moses of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.

    Source U.S. Department of Justice Press Release #17-1270
    “https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-department-veterans-affairs-employee-indicted-charges-wire-fraud-bribery-and-theft”

    1. Gee, isn’t it interesting how the IG can investigate and work with the DOJ on indicting crooks in the VA?

      Its almost like congress intended that when they wrote the law.

      1. Once again my comment is awaiting moderation. I inserted quotation marks at the beginning and the end of a link, but this format changes the second set of quotation marks from ” to ", and so the comment will not post. The first time this happened I posted information for Vietnam Veterans about a service medal that was issued to them after their service ended that they may not know they have been awarded, I think this is information these Veterans deserve to know, and yet the comment never saw the light of day here.

        This second comment also has pertinent information ALL Veterans should know about theft of compensation monies in the amount of 4 to 5 hundred million per month, per VA, by the regional director of those VA’s. Again, information ALL Veterans deserve to know, but again that comment will never see the light of day.

        What’s up with that Ben? Why is the quotation marks being changed by the format?

      2. That above is not what I typed, this new format keeps changing what I typed. In particular the part of the sentence (this format changes the second set of quotation marks from ” to “) that is not what I typed at all. I cannot type what I originally typed here because it keep changing it.

  6. _____________

    “Veterans Affairs nurse accused of peeping into University of Pittsburgh dorms”, Ben Schmitt, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017

    “https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/12922125-74/veterans-affairs-nurse-accused-of-peeping-into-university-of-pittsburgh-dorms”

    The Veterans Pittsburgh Healthcare System said Tuesday it is taking steps to fire a nurse accused of using a spotting scope to spy on University of Pittsburgh dormitories from the VA parking garage in Oakland.

    Paul May, 56, of Lawrence County’s Enon Valley is charged with loitering and prowling, possessing instruments of crime and invasion of privacy, all misdemeanors, according to court records.

    VA police arrested him Monday night as he allegedly used the scope to look into dorm rooms. A spotting scope is a small, portable telescope.

    “This behavior is not in line with the norms and values of the VA, and as a result the employee has been suspended from all duties,” VA Press Secretary Curt Cashour said in a statement. “VA has initiated the process for removal from employment right away.”

    VA police said in a criminal complaint that they initially observed May in a blue Ford SUV parked in the Oakland garage and using the scope to look into the dorms Thursday night. Officers said they took pictures of May and placed a surveillance camera in the area he was parked. Later that night, the officers said they again watched him use the scope to view the dorms.

    About 6:30 p.m. Monday, the officers returned to the garage in an unmarked car and again said they found May looking at the dorms through a scope. This time they arrested him.

    The complaint said that May watched Pitt students who were “in a state of full or partial nudity.”

    “Secretary (David) Shulkin has made clear that VA will hold employees accountable when they fail to live up to the high standards taxpayers expect from us,” Cashour said. “And that’s exactly what we’re doing in this case.”

    Pitt spokesman Joe Miksch said, “We are glad that a suspect has been apprehended and appreciate the work of the VA police.”

    May was released from Allegheny County Jail after posting $10,000 bail, court records show.

    In a tweet, Pitt said, “The University is cooperating with VAPD to determine if students may have been impacted and is working to directly inform the residents of nearby residence halls of the investigation.”

  7. ______________
    Department of Justice
    U.S. Attorney’s Office3
    Central District of California

    For Immediate Release- Wednesday, November 8, 2017

    “Parking Lot Operator Arrested for Allegedly Failing to Pay Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs at least $11 Million while Paying Bribes to VA Official”

    “LOS ANGELES – The owner of a business that operated parking lots was arrested this morning after being charged with bilking the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs out of more than $11 million that should have been paid in relation to a contract to operate parking facilities on the VA’s Los Angeles medical campuses.

    Richard Scott, 58, the owner of Westside Services LLC (WSS), was arrested without incident this morning at his Santa Monica residence.

    The arrest was made pursuant to a criminal complaint filed on November that charges Scott with major fraud against the United States. Scott is expected to make his first court appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

    An FBI agent described the fraud in a 103-page affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint. As outlined in the affidavit, Scott obtained a contract to operate parking lots on the campuses of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VA GLAHS) and soon after began defrauding the VA by failing to properly report income and expenses. The vast majority of the activity authorized under the contract took place at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center near Westwood.

    For approximately the past 15 years, Scott has had a contract with the VA that required him to provide the VA with 60 percent of the gross revenues from the parking lots, according to the affidavit. In order to determine these amounts, Scott was required to submit annual reports detailing revenue generated by parking fees, as well as improvements and services his company provided that could be used to offset payments due to the VA.

    The investigation determined that Scott maintained at least two sets of financial books, according to the affidavit. The numbers reported to the VA contained false revenue and expense statements, while a second set of books maintained by Scott’s bookkeeper/tax preparer contained the actual revenues and expenditures, except for unreported cash.

    “The investigation has revealed that Scott underreported revenue to the VA by a minimum of $4,689,081 and over-reported expenses to the VA by a minimum of $8,219,762, which caused a direct loss to the VA of $11,397,779,” according to the affidavit. The court document notes that the amount of unreported revenue is likely greater because cash generated from parking during UCLA baseball games and other events – which potentially totals more than $1 million – also was not reported to the VA.

    As part of the scheme to defraud the VA, Scott allegedly began bribing the VA contracting official responsible for overseeing the contract in 2003 and continued to bribe him on a regular basis until the official abruptly retired in 2014 after he was confronted by federal agents. According to the affidavit, Scott continued making payments to the retired VA official to continue the scheme and attempt to avoid termination of his parking contract.

    As a result of the long-running scheme to defraud the VA, Scott amassed considerable wealth, including three $2.5 million condominiums in Santa Monica, numerous high-end collectible cars, a Cigarette Top Gun racing boat that is docked in Miami, and brokerage accounts, according to the affidavit. Between 2003 and 2016, Scott allegedly used WSS business bank accounts to pay for approximately $740,000 in travel, $413,000 in meals and entertainment, his salary of $3.1 million, and numerous personal expenses and owner’s draws. The affidavit states, “The travel and meal/entertainment expenses are especially suspicious because the business of WSS consisted of overseeing parking lots at the VA GLAHS, only two of which were regularly staffed, which did not require any travel beyond the few mile area” around the VA’s West Los Angeles campus.

    This morning, pursuant to court orders, federal authorities are moving to seize Scott’s assets, including the racing boat and vehicles that include three Ferraris, a 1969 Corvette L88, two high-end Mercedes-Benzes and a Shelby Super Snake Mustang.

    The former VA contracting official began cooperating with the federal investigation in May, according to the affidavit, which states that the retired VA official admitted he participated in the bribery scheme and knew Scott was underreporting revenue and inflating expenses reported to the VA. Furthermore, the former VA official said that Scott used proceeds from cash parking events to pay the official. During an interview earlier this year recounted in the affidavit, the former official said, “He [Scott] was definitely bribing me and I was definitely looking the other way.”

    A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

    If Scott were to be convicted of the charge of committing a major fraud against the United States, he would face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

    The VA contract with WSS was terminated early this year after the VA settled a lawsuit that challenged the VA’s use of its West Los Angeles campus for any purposes not specifically related to the care and housing of veterans. However, pursuant to the agreement, WSS will continue to operate the parking lots until January.

    The case against Scott is part of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and IRS Criminal Investigation.

    The prosecution of Scott is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ruth C. Pinkel of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section.”

    Source U.S. Attorney Press release 17-203
    “https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/parking-lot-operator-arrested-allegedly-failing-pay-dept-veteran-s-affairs-least-11”

  8. Off topic, yet worth the read (with video)
    From: “Fox News”
    via: “Patriots of America”
    Dated today 11 Nov 2017
    Titled;
    “Veterans Day: Lara Trump should be commended for helping prevent veteran suicide!”

    By Dr. Gina Loudon | Fox News

    Newsweek is slamming President Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, for “freely volunteering” her time for veterans. She’s helping veterans get together with “rescue dogs”! NOT only is it rescuing the dogs from destruction, it’s helping veterans from destruction!
    Newsweek has proven to be assholes to veterans for some time now. In my opinion, They’re the ones needing to be put out of their misery!
    FUCK Newsweek and everyone who works for that liberal bullshit news rag!

  9. Anyone being prescribed Carisoprodol (Soma) by a VA Primary Care Provider.

    Why should anyone suffer from any type of health care disservice from any medical provider? Your life means a digit to the VA. Each and everyone, for some reason or another, that has to use the VA for their health care, has the full legal right to stand up for themselves, or to stand up for someone else, for the purpose of being expediently, and to be properly medically treated.

    I’ll bet you that most of everyone who receives health care from the VA’s disservice, is being mistreated, and that the basic understanding of what is known as the Evidence / Experienced – Based Medicine (EBM) Triad Model, and pertaining to Proper Patient Care Practices, is that most likely that you’re basic health care rights have been violated, more than once!

    Using the EBM Model, it’s quite frustrating when a Medical Provider, that practices based on the EBM, is looking more into the section of what is referred to as “evidence based.” Medically, this means what is the normality of treatment, based on past treatments for the same condition or symptom. VA Physicians need to focus more on the PRESENT REAL TIME symptoms that the Veteran is experiencing. And, to include any feedback from the Veteran per their health care.

    I’ve been undermined, manipulated, misled, and lied too. I have no choice but to stand up for myself, and others, to demand better care. Didn’t Shulkin admit that the Claims side of the VA has been adversarial to Veterans in the past (its happening now too)? So, where does the medical side of the VA plot on Shulkins scale of measuring services? I’d like to know. But, since Shulkin statement, we at least know that the VA can be adversarial, right?

    Here is a hypothetical scenario, what if the reason that Shulkin admitted the Claim’s side of the VA was adversarial, was to *USE* the MSM (Main Stream Media) to *DELIVER* this type of devastating news, to see how the MSM would *REACT* to what Shulkin admitted too? Don’t know. But still wondering what Shulkins motive is? What say you?

    IMO, I think the MSM missed a golden opportunity to put the VA in the spotlight of the media. I’d hope that the MSM would pick up Shulkins embarrassment, and run the investigations for better clarity of the trueph. Ahrowha Bruddah. – – – Nutter.

    1. Doctor – Patient Relationship;

      “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor%E2%80%93patient_relationship”

  10. “Veterans Are Dying From Painkiller Overdoses At Twice The Rate Of The US Population”, Steve Birr Daily Caller, Vice Reporter, 3:30 PM 11/10/2017

    “https://dailycaller.com/2017/11/10/veterans-are-dying-from-painkiller-overdoses-at-twice-the-rate-of-the-us-population/”

    “President Donald Trump declared the opioid epidemic a “public health emergency” on Oct. 26, giving states hit hard by opioid addiction flexibility on how they direct federal resources to combat rising drug deaths.

    Data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse released Sept. 7 predicts that the addiction epidemic in America will continue to deteriorate, pushing drug deaths to an estimated 71,600 in 2017. If the estimates prove accurate, 2017 will be the second year in a row that drug deaths surpass U.S. casualties from the Vietnam War.”

  11. Today is, 11 Nov. 2017, “Veterans Day”!
    To Ben, his family and to all my brothers and sisters, “Happy Veterans Day!”
    Be safe and enjoy today!

    1. I realize now that War inc. is for suckers and that we were all duped. Remembrance Day is a big part of the lies. It’s more about indoctrinating kids than honoring the war dead.

      I imagine that the souls of the billions of war dead cry out each Remembrance Day wishing we would wake up. For the dead soldiers, their young lives are sacrificed for lies so that bankers and their chickenhawk minions can keep their control racket going and they have no intention of ever sharing anything with the victims of war. The victims of war are not just the soldiers that die but overwhelmingly they are the civilians – the men, women and wee little children in poor countries that have resources that corporations want for themselves.

      1. I stayed in and made myself some scrambled eggs and ate them with a rusty fork and thought of our brothers and sisters laying locked in VA hospital wards getting tetanus from what I just did. No free din-din this Veteran’s Day for me, I just avoided the masses of asses.

  12. Meanwhile, some AFGE flunky is thinking, “Damn! I shoulda used Cascade with sheeting action”.

    I would ask at what point does the VA get serious about these problems and create task forces in every hospital to simply perform spot-checks of things like this to determine whether a proper job is being done…but I know it would be like pissing in the wind.

    1. @91Veteran: I can’t help but to think, if the VA is using Cascade, then surely, the VAOIG, MUST be using Scrubbing Bubbles!!!!

      To steal WyldeChyldes comment: Oh the irony!!!!

  13. Not to crap on Veteran’s Day, because I DO appreciate the gesture and what it’s supposed to entail…the BIG problem I have with VD is fact I cannot YET hold my head-up proudly and boast I get ‘world class healthcare’ related and by merit to my Service to my USA. I love my USA. Even the minions of assholes. But is it too much to ask to feel safe while having that ‘world class healthcare’ served with a bile smile?

  14. Could be wrong, but seems like something might be getting stirred up over at Shulkin’s office. Why would he make such a HUGE announcement, in admitting that the Claims end of the VA has been adversarial to Veterans? It gets deeper.

    Besides questioning Shulkin’s recent admittance, plus announcing this close to Veteran’s Day, what legal obligation could this possibly bring, so that the VA may have to own up to any future damages? This totally depends on the definition of ADVERSARIAL. If they have figured out appropriation, then they can calculate any damages belonging to Veterans. IMO.

    Or, did Shulkin say this to lighten his responsibility of NOT *REALLY* FIXING the VA. Causing admission, but not held accountable because Shulkin was likely the first VA Executive Officer, admitting to such a disgrace? To me, this is above and beyond a singular failure. Count’em on up. What say you? – – – Nutter.

  15. On This Day in American History:

    The history of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) begins with the founding of the Continental Marines on 10 November 1775 to conduct ship-to-ship fighting, provide shipboard security and discipline enforcement, and assist in landing forces.

    Its mission evolved with changing military doctrine and foreign policy of the United States. Owing to the availability of Marine forces at sea, the United States Marine Corps has served in nearly every conflict in United States history. It attained prominence when its theories and practice of amphibious warfare proved prescient, and ultimately formed a cornerstone of the Pacific Theater of World War II.

    By the early 20th century, the Marine Corps would become one of the dominant theorists and practitioners of amphibious warfare. Its ability to rapidly respond on short notice to expeditionary crises has made and continues to make it an important tool for American foreign policy.

    Great! But what really is the Marine Corps, and the Marines who serve in it?

    The USMC is 242 years of romping, stomping, hell, death and destruction. The finest fighting machine the world has ever seen.

    We were born in a bomb crater, our Mother was an M-14, and our Father was the Devil. Each moment that we live is an additional threat upon our nations enemies life.

    We are rough looking, roving soldiers of the sea. We are cocky, self-centered, overbearing, and do not know the meaning of fear, for we are fear itself.

    We are green amphibious monsters, made of blood and guts, who arose from the sea, feasting on anti-Americans throughout the globe. Wherever it may arise, and when our time comes, we will die a glorious death on the battlefield, giving our life for Mom, the Corps, and the American Flag.

    We stole the Eagle from the Air Force, the Anchor from the Navy, and the Rope from the Army. On the 7th day, while God rested, we over-ran his perimeter and stole the Globe, and we’ve been running the peacekeeping show ever since.

    We live like soldiers, talk like sailors, and slap the Hell out of both of them.

    Soldier by day, lover by night, drunkard and toker by choice.

    MARINE BY GOD!!! OORAH!!!

  16. Welp guys let me offer a hearty Happy “token gratitude” day or maybe it’s Happy “Hurrah, the VA didn’t kill me yet” day. It could be Happy “Where the fucks my benefits?!?!?!” day just trying to be all inclusive here.

  17. Washington D.C. ? Wow that’s where the POTUS lives! Where is the POTUS at?! Oh! He’s in Vietnam-Nam today. The same place he made sure he wouldn’t go to 50years ago.

    1. ‘But he really always wanted a Purple Heart . . . ‘ I am paraphrasing, but I did hear him utter words of that ilk on a youtube video.

      Yah – – – He wanted it, he just did not want to endure what had to be in order to EARN it. A lot of guys are still owed theirs, and a lot of guys wish they did not have them.

      A George Washington Medal and Five Dollah get a Veteran a ChocoLottaFuckaLatte at the Starfuck’s. Except in Alaska and Hawaii where it takes Six Dollah . . .

  18. Psff . . . How come the VA doesn’t have proper vetting measures, and always passes the trash to other facilities, instead of terminating disciplined VA employees? – – – Nuttin Butt Trueph

  19. Once again I feel compelled to offer a translational insight from cannabis free Oregon. We have learned here to distiguish the dank shit from the killer skunk and we are the better for it but we are not a stingy race, us Oregonians, and I am going to share… (insights, not bud)

    Let me translate for you a sentence from Ben. He writes from a learned man’s viewpoint and elects to follow a path of decorum that eludes me in my own writings which of course defer instead to the scatological style I have a real knack for.

    Here is what Ben wrote, “A VA official said staff at the location believed the discoloration was due to improper use of solvent.”

    Translated: “A VA official said staff at the location believed the discoloration was due to stale blood, festering puss, and bits of scab.”

    Of course, it does lack the decorum of Ben’s words…

    1. Damn, Great Translation, Dennis!
      (Had to sit down after that one. It caused me to almost lose my lunch (Visual)!

    2. Urban Legend holds if an AFGE member says out loud in front of a mirror 3 x the word ‘Scab’ they annihilate their existence like antimatter to matter does.

  20. I ponder how VA Sec. Shulkin would like it if he went to his favorite coffee shop haunt and ordered a bagel w/cream cheese and right in front of him I take the butter knife out of a cat shit-filled cat litter box and proceeded as if all is normal and spread his cream cheese and served it with a smile? I mean, as a server, I CARE, just *like* the VA…
    It just pisses me off: Something is either sterile or not…absolutely no gray or in this case, green areas. Rat Bastards!

    1. Hate to be pedantic – – – but in this precise case, seems there was a lot of gray, green, yellow, red and only Karma knows what other colors served as the indicator of the problem.

      Pisses me off as well. VA receives a first-world budget, yet provides in the majority of cases – – – third-world or below medical care. Thanks for your service to our bonus-generating machine.

      Fookin’ Arseholes !!!

  21. “[…Apparently, problems persist at the facility concerning sterilization procedures even after the departure of Hawkins.]”
    **Lackadaisicalness**BREEDS**MORE**LACKADDAISICALNESS**at the VA.
    Lots of ‘L’s describing your purple team members:
    ‘Lackadaisicalness’- 1) Lacking in vitality (life) and purpose, 2) Lacking Interest, Vigor, or Determination; Listless; Lethargic, 3) Lazy; Indolent.

  22. In my opinion, it’s not just the directors at VHA’s causing problems. It’s anyone/everyone who works there, and decides NOT to fix a problem!
    Shulkin can/could fire every director, at every VHA, and still not fix it! Until ALL the personnel take responsibility for whatever occurs [at a vha] NOT one damn thing will change!
    It’s as though the people who work there don’t care about anything except for themselves! As long as they receive that paycheck, ALL is well!

    Here’s a small example of the lazy attitude of VA employees:

    At the Daytona Beach VHA, the sign out on the road is obstructed by a large overgrowth of bushes! IF one had never been there, one could pass right by. Causing a person to be late for an appointment.
    When I mentioned it to one of the people at the front desk, he said, quote: “That’s not my job!”
    This seems to be the attitude of LOTS of VA employees, from top to bottom! Or, HOW about this one: “It’s good enough for government work!”
    This could be another great example of WHY VA’s nationwide are getting into so much trouble! The employees see upper management fucking over everyone, so why can’t they?

    Here’s something else y’all might want to consider.
    We all know the VA has partnered with medical schools. Which allows students to “practice” on us!
    We also know, that for the past “X” amount of years, students have been “dumbed down”!
    Are students being allowed to do the jobs professionals are supposed to be doing? Are students being supervised by anyone? Why is it there’s so much corruption, waste, fraud and abuse going on at VA’s nationwide? It’s not just the directors fault, it’s everyone’s fault from top to bottom, starting in Washington D.C.!
    Looks at it this way. For decades NOW, Washington D.C. has become a “Den of Iniquity!” Nothing but lies, corruption and treasonous actions by LOTS of people! The list goes on!
    I really don’t give a shit which side of the aisle one is on. Most of what we’re seeing, coming out of OUR Capital, isn’t a pretty sight! Think of ALL the egregious acts committed against the American People for so long now!
    So, WHY shouldn’t the government agencies fuck over every one!? They’ve gotten away with it for HOW long?
    Sooner or later, “We the People” have to demand they stop their bullshit and straighten up, or “We the People” will demand they be shut down, and then for prosecutions to begin!

    ~I do believe I’ve made my point clear!~

    1. Nepotism at the VA is the glue that keeps the engorged asses in stationary orbit for generations at the VA.

      1. VA- Beetus . Definition a disturbing medical condition known ti be inclusive to the Department of Veteran Affairs. Symptoms include severe signs of office ass, intentional lack if care and respect to the customer it serves. New reports show tgat a comorbid problem that intertwines with this disease, which is known as Secrebeetus, a condition that affects all Secretaries at the Department. Due to the last Secretary being on some grandiose Disney type shit, it has been clear that there may be no cure.
        Behind me is Captain Fuck the VA.
        Sir what would you like to say to all the viewers out in Disabled Veterans Blog?
        Sir, I would like to say “Fuck the VA!”
        Ok Bob, back to you in the studio! ?

      2. This just in . . . Special Live Guest for Monday, 13 Nov 2017 on the Captain Fuck the VA show will be Stinkee Poo Tsu Chi, who is the All-Veteran Favorite 200 Kilogram Tuna Beast Nurse award recipient for 2017.

        Be sure to Tune In, Turn On, or Drop Out . . . for what is sure to be a smelly . . . uh, EXCITING interview.

      3. With special guest former OIG, the fierce Linda the ” Manatee” Halliday and her sidekick Dick head Griffin!
        LoL @James

    2. So, basically, what you are saying is that anyone who relies on VA Health Care for anything should be considered to be displaying suicidal tendencies?

      1. Seymore,
        Have you heard anything about all the “sealed indictments” [almost 100] in the “Eastern Virginia and Washington D.C. areas” coming out from leaks?
        I’ve read where John Podesta’s on the run, after his brother, Tony, was arrested. (Not sure if that’s true or not, only hope it is!)
        So much starting to happen, it’s hard to keep up!!!!!!

    3. Right on, Elf! Does not matter what side of the aisle has control, they are all pretty much corrupt. And it has to stop. Non-violently or ??? As I stated on a previous post, the second Civil War is coming. When enough of the younger crowd of veterans get tired enough of the nonsense that goes on with the VA, and DC in general – – – things will begin to happen.

      Interesting how such a stellar fuck up like Brian Hawkins gets placed “on reassignment” by Shithead Shulkin – – – while Dr. Klein from Missouri who helped hundreds of Vets, was just fired – – – after nearly two years of being harrassed by them for doing an excellent job and trying to “look out for the troops” in the manner that our generation was taught . . .

      Makes you sick to your stomach.

      I hope all Veterans have a safe, sane Veterans Day this year. And Semper Fi to all my Jarhead Bro’s/Sis’s on this birthday anniversary of our Corps!

      1. James,
        Yesterday, while enjoying one of the great freebies, I have a younger veteran Ben’s website. He was extremely happy about it. Because he’s been given the maximum bullshit from VA!
        He was in the “tank” corps of the Army. So, in my opinion, he’s probably had some form of “tbi” disabling condition!
        When I told him about a tank being brought into our small unit in Vietnam, and how everytime it went “BOOM” (every 30 minutes) the dirt fell on us in our hootch, he got a kick out of it!
        I hope he comes on here an “talks” about his experiences at the VA!

      2. Correction:
        It should read; “I gave a younger veteran Ben’s website!”
        Damn Neuropathy and maybe spell check!

      3. Capacitive touch screens mock me with my peripheral neuropathy. The quasi-numb with somehow pain at same time fingertips and touch screens make things interesting, for sure and will just say if they come out with a touch screen panel to operate some new-fangled electronic asswiper dohinky, I am NOT getting one because you could put an eye out with that thing!

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