20/20 Report on VA system

[Peeps Mcarthur]

I'm in the central time zone and saw a 20/20 report on VA hospitals last night. I never heard anything good about them but I never heard anything this bad before.

It was a hidden camera report and it showed behavior by nurses that was not just unprofessional but downright cruel.

Dropping off food trays for paralyzed patients........then leaving the room. The report said that they didn't see anyone feed him for 2 days!!

Fecal matter on the walls

Bedsores galore

Clean and dirty utility in the same room

The OR had an open sewer drain that they said got clogged once in a while and flooded the room

Ambulatory patients not being walked or gotten out of bed or wheelchair that deteriorate to invalids(these patients were followed up in private care thriving)

Got the docs too:

Missed diagnosis causing death

Residents performing surgery without supervision(they actualy used textbooks in the OR!!!) The ortho doc that was supposed to supervise was shown going to his own practice that was double booked

Patients that have never seen thier doctor and have always been treated by residents.

Patients waiting 7 months for outpatient treatment.

These are veterans of our armed forces for gawds sakes!

Disgusting.

[BabyRN2Be]

That report was indeed very sad. I don't know if this is commonplace for VA hospitals, but I sure hope not. Our veterans deserve more than care like this.

[kahumai, RN]

I also caught the show about the VA hospitals, and it was as difficult for me to watch as any other. I currently have my clinical rotation at the local VA hospital, and although I can thankfully say that conditions there aren't as bad as the hospitals they showed on the show, they're still not the greatest. I'm assuming they pass inspections by a hair, because I certainly wouldn't be inclined to call it a "clean" hospital.

What's even more appalling is the care (or lack thereof) given by the nursing staff. I have had patients complain to me that they have been left on the toilet for more than 25 minutes waiting for someone to help wipe them, that their medications and trips to physical/occupational therapy are "forgotten," and that the staff seems unwilling to do simple tasks such as answer a call light, change a diaper, or give a bath. Our patients have begged our instructor to please assign more students to them, because they know that they'll get the best care that day. It's very disheartening to see that these veterans who risked their lives for our country can't even get bathed daily because no staff member wants to get off their a$$ and do it. And it's all of the staff....doctors, nurses, nurse's aides, physical therapists, etc. I even met someone who was more interested in trying to talk me into joining the Air Force reserves like him than feeding the patient.

I see this every week when I go to clinical, and I just try my hardest to help the patients I can while I'm there.

[Palpitations]

When you hear a report about how "nurse's mistakes are killing patients", I want you to remember this report on the VA and see how it reflects on you. It just stabs you in the heart! Ugh!

Keep in mind that the VA is an easy target because it is the largest health system in the U.S.A.

Melinda

I also caught the show about the VA hospitals, and it was as difficult for me to watch as any other. I currently have my clinical rotation at the local VA hospital, and although I can thankfully say that conditions there aren't as bad as the hospitals they showed on the show, they're still not the greatest. I'm assuming they pass inspections by a hair, because I certainly wouldn't be inclined to call it a "clean" hospital.

What's even more appalling is the care (or lack thereof) given by the nursing staff. I have had patients complain to me that they have been left on the toilet for more than 25 minutes waiting for someone to help wipe them, that their medications and trips to physical/occupational therapy are "forgotten," and that the staff seems unwilling to do simple tasks such as answer a call light, change a diaper, or give a bath. Our patients have begged our instructor to please assign more students to them, because they know that they'll get the best care that day. It's very disheartening to see that these veterans who risked their lives for our country can't even get bathed daily because no staff member wants to get off their a$$ and do it. And it's all of the staff....doctors, nurses, nurse's aides, physical therapists, etc. I even met someone who was more interested in trying to talk me into joining the Air Force reserves like him than feeding the patient.

I see this every week when I go to clinical, and I just try my hardest to help the patients I can while I'm there.

[nurseunderwater]

flies laying eggs in the noses of comatose pts...

i had no idea, I mean I "knew" it was rough but what a way to treat those who served their country,

I feel for the nurses as well. I couldn't imagine trying to work in a place like that. It would be like paddling up stream.

[IrishE]

I also saw this program and wonder how much should this affect the decision to work as a nurse within the VA system?

[Alnamvet]

As a veteran who had the opportunity to vacation in SE Asia, Grenada, Panama, and Desert Storm, I would rather die on the streets like a dog than be a va patient.

[Palpitations]

Unfortunately, that is what happens to a lot of veterans.

As a veteran who had the opportunity to vacation in SE Asia, Grenada, Panama, and Desert Storm, I would rather die on the streets like a dog than be a va patient.