Atlanta VA cites improved wait times, care

ATLANTA (AP) -- Officials with the Atlanta VA Medical Center are reporting improvements to wait times and care, following a national audit two months ago that identified problems at the facility and prompted further federal review.<br /> <br /> The facility's director, Leslie Wiggins, told reporters Friday ( http://bit.ly/1mwTaKY ) that newly compiled figures for January through March show veterans are receiving appointments quicker and obtaining better care for conditions such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure and hospital-acquired infections.<br /> <br /> "We're not perfect, but we're continuously improving," Wiggins said. "Things are improving every day."<br /> <br /> The figures marked improvement over the previous quarter on 20 of 27 measures tracked by the VA's performance improvement system. However, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the hospital's overall quality ranking among VA facilities remained unchanged, with two stars out of a possible five. The newspaper said that means the facility's in the bottom third of the VA's 128 acute care and surgery facilities.<br /> <br /> Atlanta VA officials said they have also added 15 call center positions to reduce the time to answer calls.<br /> <br /> The Atlanta VA hospital is one of five VA facilities in Georgia flagged for investigation after a national audit that identified long wait times and possible records tampering at VA hospitals and clinics across the country.<br /> <br /> On Thursday, President Barack Obama signed a bill providing the VA with $16.3 billion in emergency funds, which will help hire more doctors and nurses. The bill also makes it easier to fire top VA executives if they fail to perform.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/8/278096