Dallas VA Hospital Called Nation's Worst

Dallas Morning News ^

[NativeTexun]

Dallas VA hospital is nation's worst

Officials say they've eliminated most problems in federal report

07:00 AM CST on Tuesday, January 18, 2005

By DOUG J. SWANSON / The Dallas Morning News

The Dallas veterans hospital is so dirty, dangerous and poorly managed, federal investigators have found, that it ranks as the worst such medical center in the country.

Investigators' report says the Dallas veterans hospital 'did not maintain a consistently clean and safe environment.' An inspector general's report for the Department of Veterans Affairs said the scores for the North Texas Health Care System place it last among all veterans facilities. The report assessed 80 percent of the system's performance indicators below the "fully satisfactory" level.

[mel]

I worked at VA hospital in Arkansas, I hear it is a bit better now, but it was indeed a terrible place. Not fit for a dog much less someone who served this country

[NativeTexun]

>>Not fit for a dog much less someone who served this country <<

So sad how those who put their lives on the line for the rest of us are treated.

[506trooper]

Thanks....I have to go to a VA hospital next week...this makes me feel more warm and fuzzy....

[NativeTexun]

Sorry about that. At least you won't be going to one in Dallas I hope.

[506trooper]

Not Dallas....all VA hospitals have problems, but I think it's a funding problem mostly, because once the shootin' ends, the public wants the vetrans to go away, Kipling wrote about it in 1892....things haven't changed much...

Rudyard Kipling

Poems

TOMMY

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:

O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!

For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.

Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;

While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.

For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!

[NativeTexun]

I for one of the "public" you mention, think that if you served your country you deserve to be treated with respect for putting your life on the line .. not forgotten or shoved into the corner.

[mel]

Absolutely

[506trooper]

Sorry if you thought I meant you personally, or any FReeper for that matter, but the general public often acts as though the military are second class citizens except in times of national emergency.Conservatives normally don't behave that way, that's why I'm here at FR

There used to be reports of signs at businesses stating "No Soldiers (Sailors) or Dogs Allowed"...though I've never seen one, people, who I trust, tell me they have.....if I ever saw such a thing, there would be a post about it the next day on FR about the pi$$ed off vet and his "Bros" destroying an establishment.

BTW, I love that poem, had to post it, no offense meant.

[pageonetoo]

My hospital... with no complaints!

Located in the heart of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, the Martinsburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) can be found on 175 acres in historic Berkeley County and has a service area of 126,000 veterans in West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The Medical Center, part of the VA Capitol Health Care Network (VISN 5), offers a comprehensive range of services, including internal medicine, ambulatory surgery, audiology and speech pathology, dental, nursing home, nutrition, podiatry, prosthetics, women's health, mental health and rehabilitation medicine. Patient care is provided through an integrated primary care concept, and each veteran is assigned to a team of health care providers that follows the patient's care both as an inpatient and an outpatient. It is the goal of the Martinsburg VAMC to be the health care provider of choice in our area, exceeding standards and expectations of care. The employees of the Martinsburg VAMC are dedicated to improving the quality of life for eligible veterans through excellent health care.

[R. Scott]

this makes me feel more warm and fuzzy....

As in the mold infection you might pick up?

[R. Scott]

One of my favorite works by Rudyard Kipling.

[R. Scott]

"No Soldiers (Sailors) or Dogs Allowed"...

Colombia, South Carolina (near Fort Jackson) in 1965. I actually saw the “No Soldiers Allowed” signs. Augusta, Georgia wasn’t any better – I just didn’t see the signs.

[jsbankston]

Looks like it will take a long time to dig out from under the military loathing Clinton years.

Our Vets deserve much more than what Clinton provided to them.

[506trooper]

The hospital I'm assigned to was started in 1923...beautiful grounds...beautiful though outgrown buildings...overcrowded (I've been waiting 9 months for this appointment), so much so, many patients are farmed out to civilian contractors.

I generally have no complaints about the care, except one...some of the drugs necessary for some patients are not in the VA system and are not allowed to be prescribed....I fortunate to have great medical coverage through my company; it's not a problem for me, but I feel for those who only have the VA as an option.

[NativeTexun]

>>Sorry if you thought I meant you personally>>

Nope, didn't think that.

[NativeTexun]

I agree with you on that.

[pageonetoo]

Everybody bitches to each other, but the only ones to really bitch at work in DC! Write to them, or call them...OFTEN! The more we are heard, the more we can get accomplished!

Toll Free Numbers for Contacting VA

VA Benefits: 1-800-827-1000

* Education

* Home Loan Guaranty

* Disability Compensation

* Disability pension

* Dependency Indemnity Compensation

* Death Pension

* Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

* Civilian Health and Medical Program of the

Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)

* Medical Care

* Burial

* Life Insurance

Life Insurance: 1-800-669-8477

Education (GI Bill): 1-888-442-4551

Health Care Benefits: 1-877-222-8387

Income Verification and Means Testing: 1-800-929-8387

Mammography Helpline: 1-888-492-7844

Gulf War/Agent Orange Helpline: 1-800-749-8387

Status of Headstones and Markers: 1-800-697-6947

Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD): 1-800-829-4833

For health care services, contact your nearest VA medical facility.

[506trooper]

"I actually saw the “No Soldiers Allowed” signs."

Taken down on paydays and put back up two days later no doubt.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

I have been a patient at the VA Hospital in Dallas and my experience has been for the most part positive. I have never spent the night there, but did have day surgery a few years ago and was generally pleased. They found a "thingy" on my lung about six months ago and fortunately it turned out to be nothing, but they give me a CAT Scan every 6 months and the Pulmonary folks are first rate.

Now I will cross that line of political correctness and tell you where the problem lies...this VA sets in the heart of South Dallas which is 90% black, consequently many of the workers come from the surrounding area and many simply don't like white folks. Having observed them on numerous visits to the hospital they spend an inordinate amount of time flirting, jiving, and visiting about non-work related issues. That being said there are some black employees that are incredibly professional and there are some whites who should be dismissed immediately for their attitudes as well.

I suspect that one of the reasons that some are still employed is that they would scream discrimination if they were released. Well for that matter if you work for the Government I guess it is nearly impossible to be released.

All of these allegations came as a result of Med Students replies to an internal VA audit. I would bet they would echo the same story. Sad but true...now all you PC folks out there blast me for race baiting...not so, just telling like it is....