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Walter Reed Army Medical Center-tip o' the iceberg
Quote:
Hospital Officials Knew of Neglect
Complaints About Walter Reed Were Voiced for Years
By Anne Hull and Dana Priest
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, March 1, 2007; A01
Top officials at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, including the Army's surgeon general, have heard complaints about outpatient neglect from family members, veterans groups and members of Congress for more than three years.
A procession of Pentagon and Walter Reed officials expressed surprise last week about the living conditions and bureaucratic nightmares faced by wounded soldiers staying at the D.C. medical facility. But as far back as 2003, the commander of Walter Reed, Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, who is now the Army's top medical officer, was told that soldiers who were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan were languishing and lost on the grounds, according to interviews.
Steve Robinson, director of veterans affairs at Veterans for America, said he ran into Kiley in the foyer of the command headquarters at Walter Reed shortly after the Iraq war began and told him that "there are people in the barracks who are drinking themselves to death and people who are sharing drugs and people not getting the care they need."
... Kiley told him to speak to a sergeant major, a top enlisted officer.
A recent Washington Post series detailed conditions at Walter Reed, including those at Building 18, a dingy former hotel on Georgia Avenue where the wounded were housed among mice, mold, rot and cockroaches.
Kiley lives across the street from Building 18. From his quarters, he can see the scrappy building and busy traffic the soldiers must cross to get to the 113-acre post. At a news conference last week, Kiley, who declined several requests for interviews for this article, said that the problems of Building 18 "weren't serious and there weren't a lot of them." ...
But according to interviews, Kiley, his successive commanders at Walter Reed and various top noncommissioned officers in charge of soldiers' lives have heard a stream of complaints about outpatient treatment over the past several years. The complaints have surfaced at town hall meetings for staff and soldiers, at commanders' "sensing sessions" in which soldiers or officers are encouraged to speak freely, and in several inspector general's reports detailing building conditions, safety issues and other matters.
In 2004, Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) and his wife stopped visiting the wounded at Walter Reed out of frustration. Young said he voiced concerns to commanders over troubling incidents he witnessed but was rebuffed or ignored. "When Bev or I would bring problems to the attention of authorities of Walter Reed, we were made to feel very uncomfortable," said Young, who began visiting the wounded recuperating at other facilities.
Beverly Young said she complained to Kiley several times. She once visited a soldier who was lying in urine on his mattress pad in the hospital. When a nurse ignored her, Young said, "I went flying down to Kevin Kiley's office again, and got nowhere. He has skirted this stuff for five years and blamed everyone else."
Soldiers and family members say their complaints have been ignored by commanders at many levels.
...Army officials have been at other meetings in which outpatient problems were detailed.
On Feb. 17, 2005, Kiley sat in a congressional hearing room as Sgt. 1st Class John Allen, injured in Afghanistan in 2002, described what he called a "dysfunctional system" at Walter Reed in which "soldiers go months without pay, nowhere to live, their medical appointments canceled." Allen added: "The result is a massive stress and mental pain causing further harm. It would be very easy to correct the situation if the command element climate supported it. The command staff at Walter Reed needs to show their care."
In 2006, Joe Wilson, a clinical social worker in the department of psychiatry, briefed several colonels at Walter Reed about problems and steps that could be taken to improve living conditions at Building 18. Last March, he also shared the findings of a survey his department had conducted.
It found that 75 percent of outpatients said their experience at Walter Reed had been "stressful" and that there was a "significant population of unsatisfied, frustrated, disenfranchised patients." Military commanders played down the findings. "These people knew about it," Wilson said. "The bottom line is, people knew about it but the culture of the Army didn't allow it to be addressed."
Last October, Joyce Rumsfeld, the wife of then-Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, was taken to Walter Reed by a friend concerned about outpatient treatment. She attended a weekly meeting, called Girls Time Out, at which wives, girlfriends and mothers of soldiers exchange stories and offer support.
...When Walter Reed officials found out that Rumsfeld had visited, they told the friend who brought her -- a woman who had volunteered there many times -- that she was no longer welcome on the grounds.
Last week, the Army relieved of duty several low-ranking soldiers who managed outpatients. This week, in a move that some soldiers viewed as reprisal for speaking to the media, the wounded troops were told that early-morning room inspections would be held and that further contact with reporters is prohibited.
Yesterday, Walter Reed received an unscheduled inspection by a hospital accreditation agency. Members of the Joint Commission, formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, began a two-day visit "for cause" to examine discharge practices that have allowed soldiers to go missing or unaccounted for after they are released from the hospital.
Word that comes to mind is obscene... but this has been the reputation of the VA system for decades -- bloated, ineffective as well as inefficient, unresponsive, and a little military-bureaucratic fiefdom. Like Catch-22, basically.
I've had many psychologist friends who trained at or worked at VA hospitals, and they all have said exactly the same stuff -- the 'quality control' is totally dependent on whoever is in charge of your hospital, and how hard they will battle the higher levels for permission and resources.
One long-experienced head of Psychology at a VA hospital said an awful lot of medical and social service professionals get so frustrated by whimsical reversals of authorizations, sudden termination of promised resources, etc., that they stop trying. I watched him go through that over a 6 year period with his PTSD programs as different hospital commanders moved through. He said if you want to hide in your office making fly rods you can pretty much get away with it -- he just hunkered down and read everything he could and plotted end runs with docs in other specialties. He said one time the Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Ortho Rehab physicians somehow jointly pulled off a 'bureaucratic heist' when the brand new head of the place had slashed some of their outpatient rehab programs.
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__________________
oderint dum metuant (Latin for 'let them hate, so long as they fear').
Well, in truth I'm actually not a total hawk, but I'm not a dove either -- I'm more like an angry pigeon flying over the political arena after a really big meal. -Abba Gav
It has everything to do with the article, and I'm disturbed to hear "socialized" associated with anything American...you sure you're in the right country? Not to mention social security along with every other government program is a mess and you would wish their handling your health care options? Yeah, yeah, something must be done....exactly what and how?
Served 8.5 years in the Army so I know what crappy care the good old government provides. It's a true shame we're allowing our soldiers to be treated in such a shoddy manner. I testified before the senate committee of veteran affairs after the first war when the gulf war syndrome hit one of my soldiers...I believe they are still calling BS on that theory which is another shame.... Have you called/written your congressman/woman to complain?
Last edited by DutchmanAZ; March 1st, 2007 at 07:50 AM.
You are equating the fact that our government cares nothing about our servicemen and women except to help as sound bites and photo ops.
You are then extrapolating this to your idea of a completely government operated health care systems being a bad thing. Let me set you straight on a few things
This talks about government fundings of the effort and the inconsistent executive management.
The real issue is that the government only cares about the troops while they are newsworthy
Few people are advocating a government operated health care system. Universal health care doesn't have to be government run [iirc, John Edwards has a pretty reasonable idea on the subject which is mostly private]
Last but not least, why does the concept of providing universal access to health care send you into a fit ?
Most business owners like the idea and would stop companies like Walmart profiteering by dumping employees into state health funds aat taxpayer expense.
You are equating the fact that our government cares nothing about our servicemen and women except to help as sound bites and photo ops.
** I was commenting on everyone's seemingly utopia idea (on other threads which has parallels to this story) of universal health care and contrasted that to this story.
You are then extrapolating this to your idea of a completely government operated health care systems being a bad thing. Let me set you straight on a few things
This talks about government fundings of the effort and the inconsistent executive management.
The real issue is that the government only cares about the troops while they are newsworthy ** I agree to this point**
Few people are advocating a government operated health care system. Universal health care doesn't have to be government run [iirc, John Edwards has a pretty reasonable idea on the subject which is mostly private]
Last but not least, why does the concept of providing universal access to health care send you into a fit ?
**"mostly private" concerns me... Again, please recall how well SS medicare/aide, VA, etc is working..how is all of OUR money being spent again? Oh that's right, on other items beyond what the monies were originally for.
Most business owners like the idea and would stop companies like Walmart profiteering by dumping employees into state health funds aat taxpayer expense.
I don't know if this is actually fair, sounds like veiled envy to me...why pick on just Walmart? As much as I despise them, there are a myriad of others doing the same. What about Joe Blow Farms, Circle K, or companies that keep hours below what employees would have to have to gain insurance?Perhaps medical insurance companies should be non-profit?
I don't believe I need to be "set straight". The real issue is the government is NOT taking care of the troops as they should and we're allowing (by our inaction) it to happen. Are you sure you want the governments hands in your health care?
I don't believe I need to be "set straight". The real issue is the government is NOT taking care of the troops as they should and we're allowing (by our inaction) it to happen.
This is true but why do many buy off on the 'support our troops' BS, when it is nothing more than political exploitation ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DutchmanAZ
Are you sure you want the governments hands in your health care?
Now you are again mixing up your topics. You obviously don't like the idea of Universal Healthcare. So to make your position seems more reasonable you equate that with government run healtcare. In fact the to have little to do with each other.
I singled out Walmart as to my understanding they are the worst example [not the only one]. They are by far the largest and most extreme case of a corporation that provides few benefits to it's workers. To the point where many end up on state funded health care, which you and I pay for and is not very good either. Effectively we are subsidizing Walmart.
A universal healthcare program might help reduce the ever increasing cost of healthcare in the US. Most businesses are for this concept, certainly small businesses are.
It's about reigning in the out of control costs. Right now the healthcare industry has a very powerful lobby and is bent on preventing Universal healthcare.
A good example of this is why does the same drug cost far more in the US than it does in Canada ?
I hear you Nidan....and cannot argue as you've stated the same concerns as I. I don't know the best way to fix it. I went back and re-read the original post and you're correct...my rant is off this topic. I'm a bit tired today (see the "this sucks" thread ).
It's a crying shame that this is happening. Being a former soldier it just hurts that much more because I know what they're going through. Freedom of speech is very selectively applied once you're signed up.
I just hope that everyone who is outraged contacts their congressman/woman and stays in contact to ensure this vile treatment of our veterans is corrected. PLEASE DO SO
Last edited by DutchmanAZ; March 1st, 2007 at 10:24 AM.
I almost posted that some people can't admit when they're wrong. I am glad you were able to see the differences in the argument (and admit it). The conditions at Walter Reed disgust me. The quality of care that our military receives anywhere disgusts me. We're all on the same side on this issue here.
One long-experienced head of Psychology at a VA hospital said an awful lot of medical and social service professionals get so frustrated by whimsical reversals of authorizations, sudden termination of promised resources, etc., that they stop trying. I watched him go through that over a 6 year period with his PTSD programs as different hospital commanders moved through. He said if you want to hide in your office making fly rods you can pretty much get away with it -- he just hunkered down and read everything he could and plotted end runs with docs in other specialties. He said one time the Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Ortho Rehab physicians somehow jointly pulled off a 'bureaucratic heist' when the brand new head of the place had slashed some of their outpatient rehab programs.
A guy who does a lot of work at VA hospitals once told me that the Govt and the veterans would come out ahead if we just took the money being spent on the VA and gave it to the veterans to go get their own health care.
__________________
5-11 with 'em. 5-11 without 'em.
Dutchman, I had some of the same thoughts -- but I also believe some sort of basic universal coverage is way overdue.
To me the problem in the VA system is more in keeping with the whole military-industrial complex approach to our troops -- waste, personal fiefdoms, fraud, and a taste for PR flash.
Competition alone will not take care of it. However, maybe the VA should be forced to give Veterans the option of taking their health care needs to private HMOs, or even a Medicaid program -- like a medical voucher system.
__________________
oderint dum metuant (Latin for 'let them hate, so long as they fear').
Well, in truth I'm actually not a total hawk, but I'm not a dove either -- I'm more like an angry pigeon flying over the political arena after a really big meal. -Abba Gav
Weightman's duties at Walter Reed will be assumed temporarily by Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley, the commander of U.S. Medical Command, until a permanent replacement is found, Harvey said.
"The Army is moving quickly to address issues regarding outpatient care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center," the announcement said.
The problems at Walter Reed pertain not to the quality of medical treatment for wounded soldiers but rather to the level of care for those who are well enough to be outpatients, living in Army housing at Walter Reed. One building was singled out in the Post reports as suffering from ill-repair, including mold on interior walls.
The Army also has acknowledged problems with the system it uses to evaluate wounded soldiers in determining whether they are well enough to return to active duty.
At a breakfast meeting with reporters Thursday, in which he refused to discuss any aspect of the Walter Reed investigations, Harvey said the Army also was reviewing conditions at its medical centers elsewhere in the country. He would not be more specific
They are also looking at Bethesda Naval Hospital, among others.
But excuse me, Kiley is the guy who blew off Rummy's wife and the Congressman... how is this a good move? The guy who has been there a few months loses his career, and the guy who let it rot for a few years (then got promoted!) gets to 'fix' it?
__________________
oderint dum metuant (Latin for 'let them hate, so long as they fear').
Well, in truth I'm actually not a total hawk, but I'm not a dove either -- I'm more like an angry pigeon flying over the political arena after a really big meal. -Abba Gav
If it's good enough for our veterans it's good enough for all us civilians.
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