WASHINGTON D.C., DC — The Hampton Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center is replacing its Director, Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery after a report released Tuesday by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG) revealed "widespread failures."
The OIG conducted an investigation of the Medical Center after several complaints of poor surgical care were reported. According to an executive summary of the findings, the investigation found "widespread failures and deficiencies" related to the following:
- facility leaders’ responses to clinical care concerns and subsequent privileging actions involving the assistant chief of surgery
- professional practice evaluations of surgeons
- surgical service quality management
- institutional disclosures
The report also revealed "failures of facility leaders to ensure that the required processes were appropriately implemented, but also a lack of leaders’ basic understanding of the processes that support delivery of safe health care."
According to a statement from Kiggans' office, the investigation has prompted the VA to make the following policy and personnel changes at the Hampton VA Medical Center:
- Replacement of the VAMC Director
- Replacement of the Chief of Staff
- Replacement of the Chief of Surgery
- Addressing the anesthesiologist shortage
- Addressing staff moral and allegations of retaliation
- Increasing accountability regarding substandard care
- Ensuring medical facilities are properly cleaned and maintained
The VA has named Michael Harper the Acting Medical Center Director through August 5.
After that, the Director of the VA Medical Center in Long Beach, California — Walt Danneberg — will take over.
In a statement to 13 News Now, VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes said: "At VA, our mission is to ensure Veterans get the world-class health care they deserve from caring, qualified professionals — and we will never settle for anything less. We take allegations of oversight and misconduct seriously and have strengthened our policies and procedures to ensure consistent, high-quality care from licensed professionals."
The statement continued: "While progress have been achieved, continuous improvement is essential to maintain the highest quality care. We value oversight and collaboration with the OIG, our staff, stakeholders, and VA officials, as it strengthens our mission to honor and care for Veterans."
In an interview with 13 News Now on Wednesday, Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Virginia, 2nd District) said corrections needs to take place "as soon as possible."
Kiggans, who is the chair of the of the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, said: "And that report that came out was pretty scathing and really pointed fingers at leadership and that a change in leadership is needed. So, I certainly think this is a step in the right direction."
In April, members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee — based upon whistleblower testimony — alleged in a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough there were "credible allegations" of retaliation being "commonplace" against VA employees who report patient safety concerns.
Their letter stated that "gross medical incompetence" is prevalent and "goes unaddressed."