Interim Director of Phoenix VA Facility Discusses Changes in Light of Critical Report
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ABC News(WASHINGTON) — After Tuesday’s report from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ independent investigation indicated that there is no proof that delayed treatment at VA hospitals caused any deaths, Glenn Costie, director of the Dayton VA Medical Center and interim director of the Phoenix Medical Center, discussed the work the agency has done to revamp the Phoenix center.
The Phoenix center came under fire earlier this year for unethical scheduling practices. Since then, Costie says, they have added 250 staff members — more than 100 of whom were added within the last three months. The Phoenix VA Medical Center plans to continue adding staff, with 200 more hires expected “in the very near future.”
All of the schedulers employed by the VA have been trained to properly use wait lists and other programs in what Costie calls the beginning of a “cultural transformation.”
Costie acknowledged that the Phoenix medical center was “understaffed and under-resourced for many years,” but that out of the scandal from earlier this year, “we’re starting to get that resolved.”
The report detailed 28 instances of “clinically significant delays in care” and 17 unrelated instances of “care deficiencies.” These cases represent unacceptable and troubling lapses in follow-up, coordination, quality and continuity of care.”
The report also notes that investigations into the lapses will continue, with involvement from the Department of Justice and the FBI.
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