Another VA Screwup in ABQ

The website of U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham doesn’t supply fodder for Errors of Enchantment very often, but yesterday, the congresswoman posted a press release worth noting.

Lujan Grisham “expressed outrage” over the finding that the New Mexico VA Health Care System facility in Albuquerque “failed to notify many patients about positive test results indicating they could have colorectal cancer.”

Specifically, the Office of Healthcare Inspections of the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs looked into “allegations made by an anonymous complainant,” and concluded that “nine patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer … experienced delays and, in some instances, significant delays that may have affected the patients’ clinical outcomes.” In addition, investigators “determined that during FY 2013 and FY 2014, the facility did not have a process in place to monitor provider compliance with colorectal cancer screening. In 2012, facility leaders had assigned a registered nurse to follow up on positive fecal immunochemical tests and report to the Chief of Staff monthly. However, the employee transferred from the facility, and the position had been vacant for over 2 years. We found that facility leaders did not institute another process for monitoring provider compliance with colorectal cancer screening and reporting to ensure that patients with a positive fecal immunochemical tests received timely notification of results and appropriate follow-up care.”

Here’s a link to the full report — worth forwarding to friends, relatives, and co-workers who think single-payer healthcare is a good idea.