Thursday, September 23, 2010

GAO Assigns Failing Marks to VA Hospitals, Promises Further Investigation

Full Article at: VA contracting problems disclosed; Cochran next stop for investigators

BY BILL LAMBRECHT>blambrecht@post-dispatch.com>202-298-6880 | Posted: Thursday, September 23, 2010 3:00 pm |

WASHINGTON -- Investigators from the Government Accountability Office plan to arrive at the John A. Cochran Medical Center in St. Louis in early October in another inquiry spurred by the recent scandal over improperly sterilized dental equipment.

GAO officials announced their intentions today at a House subcommittee hearing examining how the Veterans Administration makes its purchases and oversees some $9 billion of its spending.

In the GAO's preliminary assssment after visits to five other VA hospitals, the veterans' agency received some failing marks.

Investigators found contracting shortcomings in all five government-run hospitals, in some cases creating "potential risks to veterans' safety."

Among the problems at an unidentified hospital was the incorrect purchase of supplies used in dialysis, risking veterans to exposure to HIV and other infections, the GAO reported.

The GAO, Congress's nonpartisan investigative arm, examined VA hospitals in Detroit, Cheyenne, Albany, Miami and Palo Alto.

The VA's Inspector General's office also delivered a withering report on VA contracting. In 60 of 65 contracts examined, involving $83 million, investigators found oversight lacking.

Procedures to better control and oversee contracting could save taxpayers $130 million over five years, Belinda Finn, the VA's assistant inspector general, said.

Responding to questions from Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis, Debra Draper, the GAO's director for health care, said investigators from her office had added Cochran to the list of hospitals to be examined.

Draper said in an interview that at Cochran, the GAO would be looking at safety issues "related to the purchase and tracking of expendable supplies and reusable medical equipment."

Director of Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury being Replaced

Full Article at: DOD says brain injury office chief is reassigned

By ANNE FLAHERTY and RICHARD LARDNER (AP) – 2 hours ago

WASHINGTON — "The Army officer in charge of overseeing treatment for troops suffering from brain injuries and psychological trauma has been reassigned until an internal investigation into his management of the office is completed, a senior Pentagon official said Thursday.

Col. Robert Saum is being replaced as acting director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, the official said. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Saum has been accused by an office employee of unwanted sexual advances and creating a hostile workplace. The Pentagon inspector general is investigating.

In a brief statement, Dr. George Peach Taylor, director of the military's health care program, said Saum will report to Taylor's deputy, Rear Adm. Christine Hunter. Taylor did not address the allegations against Saum and did not say what Saum's duties would be in his new assignment.

Saum is a highly decorated officer with a doctorate in cognitive studies, according to his official military biography, which has been removed from the Defense Centers of Excellence website. Saum was traveling and could not be reached for comment.

Saum had been acting director of the Defense Centers of Excellence since late June. He replaced Army Brig. Gen. Loree Sutton, who abruptly resigned amid heavy criticism on Capitol Hill that the office had not moved quickly enough to improve care for troops."

VA Secretary Defends Link between Agent Orange and Heart Disease

Full Article at: VA defends Agent Orange, heart disease links

By BEN EVANS (AP) – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON — "Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki is defending an expensive proposal to extend automatic disability compensation to Vietnam veterans who develop heart disease, saying studies have shown a link between the ailment and the toxic defoliant Agent Orange.

Responding to concerns about costs, Shinseki told a Senate committee Thursday that a 1991 law compelling the agency to cover diseases linked to Agent Orange doesn't allow consideration of expense or other external factors, such as the common occurrence of heart disease from other causes."