PHOENIX — The Phoenix VA Healthcare System is pledging to improve how it responds to medical emergencies at its facilities after reports that employees failed to provide life-saving care to veterans just outside the clinic.
A report released last month by the VA's Office of Inspector General detailed how the man died and listed 10 recommendations. A VA spokesperson sent ABC15 a statement on Wednesday saying the department will implement all of the recommendations in the coming months.
Following the report's release, a majority of Arizona's congressional delegation signed a letter to the VA secretary requesting clarification and details about when the new procedures will be implemented.
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The man, in his 70s, who was not named in the OIG report, had just returned from a urology appointment on the campus of the VA hospital near downtown Phoenix that day in 2013.
He became unresponsive in the car, and the family member who was driving quickly parked the car at the clinic entrance and went inside to call for help.
Instead of dispatching their own medical staff, VA officials called 911. It took Phoenix paramedics 11 minutes to arrive, and the man later died.
The VA OIG report cited deficiencies in the emergency medical response, concerns about the quality of previous care provided to the man, who had known heart disease, and insufficient consideration of his safety after his death.
In a letter dated July 25, the lawmakers said the incident was part of a “disturbing pattern of inappropriate responses” by the Phoenix VA health care system.
In an email to ABC15, a VA spokesperson said they received the letter from the Arizona delegation and a second letter from Rep. Ruben Gallego, and that the department plans to respond directly.
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by this veteran's death and offer our deepest condolences to his family,” VA spokesman Terrence Hayes said in a statement.
“We are looking at improving guidance within our campus emergency policy,” Hayes said, “adding signage on how to call for help and providing training for non-clinical personnel on initiating CPR in a medical emergency.”
