Spokane7
55°
May 6, 2010 in City
VA limits surgeries at Spokane, other hospitals
Limits follow review of deaths at Illinois hospital
Spokane Veterans Affairs Medical Center no longer will perform certain types of surgeries after a systemwide review prompted by surgical deaths at a VA hospital in Illinois.
Under a new system, the VA has given each hospital a “surgical complexity” level. Because of that, hospitals in at least five states will now only perform less-complicated surgeries. The hospitals are in Alexandria, La.; Beckley, W.Va.; Fayetteville, N.C.; Danville, Ill.; and Spokane.
The change affects only about 6.5 percent of the surgeries performed at Spokane VA, said Dr. Jacy Ryan, a cardiologist at the hospital.
“There were no mal-occurrences at Spokane VA that precipitated any of this,” Ryan said.
A nationwide initiative prompted by surgical deaths in 2007 at the VA hospital in Marion, Ill., looked at the types of surgeries performed and classified them as standard, intermediate or complex, Ryan said. An advisory panel decided what VA infrastructure, including equipment and staff, was necessary to support those surgeries.
“They looked at possible complications, no matter how remote,” Ryan said.
As a result, the five hospitals will be limited to standard surgeries for such conditions as cataracts, hernias and laparoscopic procedures.
Spokane VA will no longer perform intermediate surgeries such as colon resection, nephrectomies or prostatectomies. More complicated surgeries, now rated “complex,” have not historically been performed at the Spokane VA.
Patients requiring intermediate surgeries will be referred to either another VA hospital in the region or a local provider depending on urgency and the patient’s ability to travel, Ryan said.
“This will ensure patient safety and allow us to increase the number of standard procedures we perform,” said Perry Danner, associate director at Spokane VA.
The VA provided more than 357,000 inpatient surgeries last year, including 955 in Spokane. The department anticipates that only 0.1 percent of surgeries categorized as “intermediate” or “complex” would now be referred to other providers as a result of the change announced Thursday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Rights panel poorly understood 
PhiltheBibliophil on May 06 at 1:13 p.m.
May I please be the first to say, the level of care at our VA in Spokane is outstanding. They deal with an impossible situation everday. As more and more people are layed off and health care benefits are cut they continue to take in more and more veterans. No hospital is perfect. But I have had my life saved their twice in the last year and I wouldn’t trade them for anything! Spokane has an outstanding pool of hospitals who support and interact with our VA. We are very blessed!
No_Forked_Tongues on May 06 at 1:45 p.m.
On the other hand the VAMC is the worst medical care I have ever had. The former “director” du jour kept her fax number secret so she wouldnt get faxes. No one in the building knew who the director was because it was changing every 3 months. As soon as they found another incompetent political appointee they would be gone. It took the director 30 days from the day she signed letters to the day they were postmarked. Musta have been a toufh walk to the postal outbox.
The VAMC charges me $49 for a prescription that costs $4 at Walgrens/WalMar/Costco.
The Spokesman had done several articles regarding how Vets about 9 vets in the last two years have committed suicide after being in the care of their psych department. And the same doctors are still there without being held accountable.
The Vets in Spokane would be better served if they lined up a brigade of bulldozers and made an extra soccer field.
misjustice on May 06 at 1:51 p.m.
As I’ve said in other postings, my husband is 100% disabled & in a wheelchair. Injury is 100% service connected. We have dealt with many hospitals in various states & I can say Spokane is the best of all of them!
I even worked at the VA hospitals in Kansas City, MO, as secretary to the Chief Accountant. I wouldn’t take my worst enemy to that hospital.
Spokane Vets, on the other hand, should say thank you every day for the level of care they get at this facility!
Albert on May 06 at 3:17 p.m.
I am 100% disabled from injuries suffered (blown up) as a SEAL. The VA in Spokane is beyond excellent. My personal care physician is superior, the nursing staff is superior, the pharmacy staff is superior, and the attitude by virtually every staff member is above superior. I have received only the best of medical care and I am VERY grateful to every member of the Spokane VA. THANK YOU ALL!!!!
PhiltheBibliophil on May 06 at 3:18 p.m.
No Forked tounge - I didn’t say it was perfect! But when you have nothing I ask you what is the better option. I’ve been through 3 other Hospitals and Spokane is still the best. The 9 that died of suicide are 1 to many. Had a friend that did this a few years back at another facility. He did not use the “system” properly although they tried repeatedly. If you’re paying $49 for a med that you can get at Wal Mart for $4 common sense would dictate you opt out of that med and go to Wal Mart, which you can do. Don’t just expect a handout. Actually get involved in your care, quit your bad habits and be thankful instead of bitching. And Gramma, thank your husband for his service for me will you!
greyhound2 on May 06 at 4:41 p.m.
Thank God for the VA. If you have ever been there, you would notice how many elderly folks are there, and if it was not for the VA, they would be in a ditch somewhere. God Bless the United States of America.
edspo on May 06 at 5:01 p.m.
This turn of events is disappointing for Spokane and Spokane area vets. According to the VA’s press release, 66 VA hospitals will continue to do complex surgeries, 33 will do moderately complex surgeries, and just five - including Spokane’s VA hospital - will be restricted to “standard” less complicated surgical procedures.
The VA says most surgical procedures fall in to the “standard” category and that this change will have minimal effect.
But the real question left unanswered is why Spokane’s VA hospital seems to have been placed in the bottom 5% of VA hospitals. Could the Spokesman Review look in to that? Just 5 out of 104 hospitals have ended up in this situation. Why?
No_Forked_Tongues on May 06 at 7:37 p.m.
Future of socialized medicine?
You all remember the Vet that was having a heart attack that was turned way from the VAMC because their doors at closed 5 minutes earlier…and then DIED in the parking lot?
Perhaps our Congressional rep can take a little inspection instead of sending letters to the director? I would think a little surprise visit might be illuminating. and oh yes.. Talking to the Veterans, just not turning your back on them Ms. McMorris.