Review details problems at veterans' facilites

Mold and leaking roofs at VA facilities are listed among maintenance woes

WASHINGTON » Veterans Affairs' vast network of 1,400 health clinics and hospitals is beset by maintenance problems such as mold and leaking roofs, an internal review says.

The investigation, ordered two weeks ago by VA Secretary Jim Nicholson, comes in the wake of the disclosure of squalid conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

A copy of the report was provided to the Associated Press.

Review finds VA facilities in decay The Veterans Affairs network of 1,400 health clinics and hospitals is plagued by maintenance problems such as mold, leaking roofs and even a colony of bats, an internal review says. The investigation, ordered two weeks ago by VA Secretary Jim Nicholson, is the first major review of the facilities conducted since the disclosure of squalid conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Democrats newly in charge of Congress called the report the latest evidence of an outdated system unable to handle a coming influx of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Investigators found earlier this month that the VA's system for handling disability claims was strained to its limit. "Who's been minding the store?" said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. The review was conducted by directors of individual VA facilities around the country and compiled in a 94-page report to Nicholson. It found that 90 percent of the 1,100 problems cited were deemed to be of a more routine nature. The other 10 percent were considered serious and included mold spreading in patient care areas. SICK HOSPITALS Some of the problems at Veterans Affairs' health clinics and hospitals, as detailed by an internal review: » Roof leaks requiring continuous repairs and large colonies of bats outside the clinic in White City, Ore. » In Oklahoma City, secondhand smoke from a smoking area outside would infiltrate the building through the women's restroom. » Deteriorating walls and hallways were common, requiring repair, patch and paint in 30 percent of patient areas in Little Rock, Ark. On the Net » Department of Veterans Affairs: www.va.gov

The review was conducted by directors of individual VA facilities around the country and compiled in a 94-page report to Nicholson. It found that 90 percent of the 1,100 problems cited were deemed to be of a more routine nature: worn-out carpet, peeling paint, mice sightings and dead bugs at VA centers.

The other 10 percent were considered serious and included mold spreading in patient care areas. Eight cases were so troubling they required immediate attention and follow-up action.

Some of the more striking problems were found at a VA clinic in White City, Ore. There, officials reported roof leaks throughout the facility, requiring them to "continuously repair the leaks upon occurrence, clean up any mold presence if any exists, spray or remove ceiling tiles."

In addition, large colonies of bats resided outside the facility and sometimes flew into the attics and interior parts of the building.

"Eradication has been discussed, but the uniqueness of the situation (the number of colonies) makes it challenging to accomplish," according to the report, which said the bats were being tested for diseases. "Also, the bats keep the insect pollution to a minimum, which is beneficial."

Veterans groups said they were concerned about the findings but also appreciated the VA's aggressive efforts to identify problems.

"We now expect these problems to be corrected immediately and not shelved due to insufficient funding or because the proper care and treatment of our wounded veterans is no longer in the national spotlight," said Joe Davis, spokesman of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

John Gage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 150,000 VA workers, added, "Clearly, the problems facing the VA require increased funding as well as better oversight."

In response, Nicholson ordered "immediate corrective action" this week to fix problems, with full accounting provided to the VA. He noted that an overwhelming majority of the issues were normal "wear and tear" items.

In interviews, VA officials said they were somewhat reassured by the report, which they said indicated no red flags rising to the level of problems at outpatient facilities at Walter Reed in Washington, D.C., one of the premier facilities for treating those wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Walter Reed is a military hospital run by the Defense Department. Critics have long said problems of military care extend to the VA's vast network, which provides supplemental health care and rehabilitation to 5.8 million veterans.

But VA officials noted that despite some problems, the VA health system consistently outperforms private-sector hospitals in customer satisfaction.

"There was no imminent threat of harm to patients," said Louise Van Diepen, chief of staff to VA's acting undersecretary for health, Michael Kussman. "We have no indication to lead us to believe there is a smoking gun."