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VETS FACING LONGER TRIPS AS MARION VA CANCELS
MANY
SURGICAL PROCEDURES -- We have "...limited some
of the
complex surgical procedures. This will allow us
time to
complete a thorough assessment of our staff
qualifications, staffing levels and support
activities."
Marion, Illinois VA
For more about the Marion VA, use the VA Watchdog search
engine...click here...
http://www.yourvabenefits.org/ses
search.php?q=marion&op=and
Story here...
http://www.courierpress
.com/news/2007/sep/06/vets-facing-
longer-trips-for-some-surgeries/
Story below:
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Vets facing longer trips for some surgeries
By LEN WELLS
lenwells@wabash.net
MARION, Ill. — Citing the recent departure of several doctors and major
staff changes, officials with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in
Marion, Ill., have announced the suspension of many complex surgical
procedures pending a governmental review of the agency's surgical
program.
Built in 1942, the Marion VA Medical Center serves the medical needs of
veterans from 52 counties in Southern Illinois, Southwestern Indiana and
Western Kentucky. It also oversees the operation of the Satellite
Outpatient Clinic in Evansville and clinics in Paducah and Hanson, Ky.,
and Mount Vernon and Effingham, Ill. Services offered at those
facilities will not be affected.
The decision to suspend major surgical procedures follows a recent visit
by the VA National Surgical Quality Review Team.
"At the review team's recommendation, the Marion Health Care System has
limited some of the complex surgical procedures effective Aug. 31," said
Rebecca Shinneman, public affairs officer for the medical center. "This
will allow us time to complete a thorough assessment of our staff
qualifications, staffing levels and support activities."
Shinneman said veterans with surgical needs will be referred to the
nearest VA hospital or medical facilities within their own community,
depending upon the needs of the individual. "Each case will be evaluated
on an individual basis," she said.
Danny White with the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 80 in Fairfield,
Ill., said he hadn't heard about the changes in Marion's surgical
program. He and a group of DAV volunteers transport area veterans to
Marion and other VA facilities for medical care.
"Lately, they've been farming out more and more medical procedures to
the new Heartland Regional Hospital in Marion," White said. "But they're
still doing most of the outpatient diagnostic procedures at the VA
hospital in Marion."
The announcement caught Illinois' 19th District Rep. John Shimkus by
surprise.
"I hope this is a temporary situation," Shimkus said. "It is my
understanding that surgeries will be handled at other facilities, but I
urge veterans who encounter problems scheduling surgery due to this
situation to contact my office."
Officials at the Marion VA Center stated that outpatient diagnostic
procedures would not be affected by the review.
"Complex surgical programs will resume once a comprehensive review has
ensured the safety and a quality of care for our veterans," Shinneman
said.
Earlier this year, the Marion VA Medical Center opened a cardiac
catheterization lab, which is not affected by the ongoing review.
The clinic, a teaching hospital, maintains a sharing agreement with
Scott Air Force Base near Belleville, Ill., to provide orthopedic,
dermatology and urology services. It has 55 hospital beds and a 60-bed
nursing home care unit.
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Larry Scott --
