VA hospital in New England: mice, bugs and leaks
Boston Globe
By Brian MacQuarrie, Globe Staff
March 27, 2007

A review by the Department of Veterans Affairs in the wake of the scandal at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center has cited scores of substandard conditions in its New England hospitals and clinics, including the presence of rodents and bugs, chronic leaks, and dilapidated furniture.

The nationwide review, ordered by Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson, reported mice at the VA Medical Center in Providence, recurring reports of flies at an outpatient clinic in Hyannis, and mismatched, stained, and broken furniture in Manchester, N.H.

VA officials yesterday described the problems as normal concerns for aging buildings, some of which are more than 75 years old. But Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, said the results of the review were a sign of bureaucratic neglect of the nation's veterans.

"This report highlights conditions that are unacceptable, and we must fix these problems immediately," Kennedy said. "The findings are just one more reason why the Veterans Administration needs additional funding and increased oversight. Our veterans and soldiers deserve medical facilities that match their enormous sacrifices."

Representative John F. Tierney, a Democrat from Salem and chairman of a subcommittee that has investigated Walter Reed, said congressional oversight is needed to ensure the review is accurate.

"Given the fact that it took a reported scandal in care to prompt such a review, and recalling that the secretary has in the past denied Congress's assertion of needed VA funding, only to turn around within the year and return to Congress seeking supplemental funds, some skepticism is warranted."

Much of the report listed minor problems, such as scuffed doors in Northampton and peeling paint in Manchester, N.H. But the review also describes masonry leaks in Providence that need frequent repair, damaged carpeting in Manchester, N.H., that will require the removal of underlying asbestos, and a sewer pit that backed up into utility space in White River Junction, Vt.

The review contained "no surprises for us," said James W. Burrows, spokesman for the VA Medical Center in Providence. Most of the problems, he continued, "were routine maintenance kinds of things from a building that's approaching 60 years old."

The mice, he said, were spotted in administrative offices and have not been seen recently.

"That's not anything new," Burrows said of the mice. "It's not uncommon to have field mice come in, especially in the winter months. We immediately brought in a pest control service."

The bugs, he said, were flies that had become a problem at the Hyannis outpatient clinic, which the Providence VA center operates.

"We continue to work with the landlord on that," said Burrows, who added that the VA is seeking a larger space for its Cape Cod clinic.

At the VA Medical Center in Northampton, staff members reported they might need much of the rest of this calendar year to address a long list of concerns. One reason, Northampton officials reported, is that the facility does not have enough electricians, carpenters, or painters to complete the jobs faster.

The review found exposed light bulbs throughout the Northampton medical center, ceiling tile failures, and deteriorated steps.

"We welcomed the opportunity to make the review and bring this to a higher level," said Mary Rodowicz, spokeswoman for the Northampton VA center. "We have an action plan."

Rodowicz said she did not know whether the repairs would require more money than had been budgeted, or whether the Department of Veterans Affairs would provide additional funding.

"We did our part, and we'll see what happens," Rodowicz said.

Nicholson, the Veterans Affairs secretary, ordered the review March 7 after poor conditions and sub-par services were uncovered at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, the country's premier hospital for wounded service members, many of whom have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The secretary of the Army and two other top-ranking military officials have been ousted in the aftermath of those disclosures.

Walter Reed, which is run by the Defense Department, is not part of the VA's nationwide system of 1,400 hospitals and clinics.

After receiving the report, which was compiled by staff members at each of the medical centers, Nicholson ordered "immediate corrective action."

In the Boston-area facilities, all repairs are expected to be completed by the end of July, said Diane Keefe, a VA spokeswoman. Those problems include replacing ceiling and floor tiles, patching and painting walls, and cleaning vents.

"All the items are items that you would expect to find in buildings that are 50-plus years old," Keefe said. "Our staff does a marvelous job of upkeep, and there isn't anything in this report that would put any of our patients at risk and at jeopardy."

The Boston system includes facilities in Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, and Brockton, as well as two outpatient clinics in Boston, and others in Worcester, Lowell, Framingham, and Quincy.

Brian MacQuarrie can be reached at b_macquarrie@globe.com.
© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.

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