VA case irks ;
 legislators request 
independent study

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VA case irks ;
 legislators request 
independent study

bsutherly@...

Posted: 03/08/2011 12:50 AM

DAYTON — U.S. Rep. Mike , R-Centerville, at a press conference Monday

“reiterated his outrage†over infection control lapses that may have led to

nine patients potentially contracting hepatitis B and hepatitis C at the Dayton

VA Medical Center’s dental clinic.

demanded VA officials respond by Friday to his Feb. 16 request for

investigative documents pertaining to the problems.

A VA official couldn’t say Monday how long the VA legally has to respond to

the records request.

The problems at the dental clinic prompted its temporary shutdown from Aug. 19

to Sept. 10.

VA officials first went public about infection control lapses at the dental

clinic Nov. 17, about four months after at least one employee raised concerns in

July.

on Monday criticized VA officials for taking so long to go public about

the investigation.

and U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman want officials with the

Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association to independently review the VA

investigation and suggest ways to improve medical care at the clinic.

Dayton VA Medical Center Director Guy told GDAHA officials the VA

would cooperate with the independent review and associated recommendations, said

Boosalis, chair of GDAHA’s board of trustees.

The VA initiated administrative action steps against three VA employees, but the

dentist in question, Dwight M. Pemberton, 81, retired Feb. 11 and therefore is

no longer facing discipline. Discipline of the remaining two employees is

pending.

When asked Monday if should keep his job, said, “I am not

sure whether or not Guy will survive†as director.

Bill Schoenhard, deputy undersecretary for Health for Operations and Management,

said in a statement Monday that the VA is committed to keeping the process

transparent.

“Let there be no doubt that we share the concerns of Ohio’s members of

Congress and others regarding the importance of the safety of our nation’s

veterans,†Schoenhard said.

“That is why Dayton VAMC has notified patients, out of an abundance of caution

and concern for the trust veterans place in the health care they earned,†he

said.

[Guest guest]

http://m.daytondailynews.com/dayton/db_101691/contentdetail.htm;jsessionid=19DE5\

0FAFF0B046F5CCAF67C3B7D2954?contentguid=uHeWwNRC & detailindex=4 & pn=0 & ps=8 & full=tr\

ue#display

VA case irks ;
 legislators request 
independent study

bsutherly@...

Posted: 03/08/2011 12:50 AM

DAYTON — U.S. Rep. Mike , R-Centerville, at a press conference Monday

“reiterated his outrage†over infection control lapses that may have led to

nine patients potentially contracting hepatitis B and hepatitis C at the Dayton

VA Medical Center’s dental clinic.

demanded VA officials respond by Friday to his Feb. 16 request for

investigative documents pertaining to the problems.

A VA official couldn’t say Monday how long the VA legally has to respond to

the records request.

The problems at the dental clinic prompted its temporary shutdown from Aug. 19

to Sept. 10.

VA officials first went public about infection control lapses at the dental

clinic Nov. 17, about four months after at least one employee raised concerns in

July.

on Monday criticized VA officials for taking so long to go public about

the investigation.

and U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman want officials with the

Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association to independently review the VA

investigation and suggest ways to improve medical care at the clinic.

Dayton VA Medical Center Director Guy told GDAHA officials the VA

would cooperate with the independent review and associated recommendations, said

Boosalis, chair of GDAHA’s board of trustees.

The VA initiated administrative action steps against three VA employees, but the

dentist in question, Dwight M. Pemberton, 81, retired Feb. 11 and therefore is

no longer facing discipline. Discipline of the remaining two employees is

pending.

When asked Monday if should keep his job, said, “I am not

sure whether or not Guy will survive†as director.

Bill Schoenhard, deputy undersecretary for Health for Operations and Management,

said in a statement Monday that the VA is committed to keeping the process

transparent.

“Let there be no doubt that we share the concerns of Ohio’s members of

Congress and others regarding the importance of the safety of our nation’s

veterans,†Schoenhard said.

“That is why Dayton VAMC has notified patients, out of an abundance of caution

and concern for the trust veterans place in the health care they earned,†he

said.