Report says 19 deaths at Illinois VA hospital due to substandard care
Nineteen deaths at the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL were linkedto surgical errors or substandard care – a total nearly doublingearlier estimates of 10 patient deaths – in a report made public Mondayfrom an investigation into the medical center’s surgical unit. Of29 deaths that occurred at the Marion facility during Fiscal Year 2007,the Inspector General’s Office of Healthcare Inspections reported that19 deaths were either the result of surgical error or because patientshad received less-than-optimum care. Six physicians have been linked topatient care problems, with two resigning their duties and theremaining four prohibited from performing complex surgeries. Congressman Jerry Costello described Monday’s report as “shocking.” “Firstand foremost, the families of the (additional) nine veterans who havedied due to substandard care need to be notified. The report must bereleased to the public immediately. Changes must also be made in themanagement structure of the facility.” Costellosaid it appears to him that Marion officials made “poor” managementdecisions and ignored procedures that were already in place.
Source/more: http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/01/29/front_page/doc479faed1ba5f1044656342.txt