What's right and what's wrong with the VA
I was at the VA this afternoon (Friday, August 7th). I was scheduled for a follow-up visit with the resident working with my primary care physician. He's so dedicated to his work that he'd called me yesterday to discuss what was going on with me. He was concerned that the chest x-rays from my two ER visits over the past two weeks were showing some scarring and fluid in the lower left lung. It appeared to him that I wasn't getting better, in spite of two courses of antibiotics. We made a plan that I'd come in early and get another chest x-ray before my appointment. If there was no improvement in the film, I'd be admitted for IV antibiotics. The film looked a tiny bit better. My symptoms are still present but not as bad as 24 or 48 hours ago. So we talked and he decided to tweak my medications and I'll go back next Friday for another follow-up. His care, his follow-through and everything else was first-rate.
On the other hand, while I was waiting for that chest x-ray today, I witnessed something I found very upsetting. A veteran was waiting for x-rays and an MRI on his leg. According to the orthopedist he'd seen that day, the leg was broken in two places and there appeared to be ligament damage as well.
He was in agony. The wheelchair the VA had provided for him would not allow him to prop up his leg to relieve the stress on it. After a 20 minute wait, another wheelchair was delivered but it wasn't any better. I stepped in and pointed out that he needed a gurney, not a chair, so he could lay flat and relieve the pressure. They wouldn't bring the gurney without an order from a doctor. Are you kidding me? A doctor has to write up an order so that a gurney can be used to relieve someone's pain and suffering?? That's ridiculous. His leg was swelling and turning purple before my very eyes.
I discovered he'd been forced to drive an hour to the West LA VA because the facility he normally visits couldn't provide treatment. He'd waited two full weeks for today's appointment. This is just unacceptable. Someone with a broken leg needs it to be reduced and cast/splinted/whatever as soon as possible. Not two weeks later.
This isn't as bad as when veterans were dying in Phoenix because the staff at the VA there were gaming the system to get bonuses, but it's damn close.
Fix this, Mr. Obama.
On the other hand, while I was waiting for that chest x-ray today, I witnessed something I found very upsetting. A veteran was waiting for x-rays and an MRI on his leg. According to the orthopedist he'd seen that day, the leg was broken in two places and there appeared to be ligament damage as well.
He was in agony. The wheelchair the VA had provided for him would not allow him to prop up his leg to relieve the stress on it. After a 20 minute wait, another wheelchair was delivered but it wasn't any better. I stepped in and pointed out that he needed a gurney, not a chair, so he could lay flat and relieve the pressure. They wouldn't bring the gurney without an order from a doctor. Are you kidding me? A doctor has to write up an order so that a gurney can be used to relieve someone's pain and suffering?? That's ridiculous. His leg was swelling and turning purple before my very eyes.
I discovered he'd been forced to drive an hour to the West LA VA because the facility he normally visits couldn't provide treatment. He'd waited two full weeks for today's appointment. This is just unacceptable. Someone with a broken leg needs it to be reduced and cast/splinted/whatever as soon as possible. Not two weeks later.
This isn't as bad as when veterans were dying in Phoenix because the staff at the VA there were gaming the system to get bonuses, but it's damn close.
Fix this, Mr. Obama.
posted by me at 9:36 PM
<< Home