Report: VA Hospital Physician ‘Contributed’ To Patient’s Decline, Death
The physician who expressed indifference to the veteran's condition was a contract worker at Washington, D.C.'s VA Medical Center’s emergency room.
The Wall Street Journal:
VA Hospital Faulted In Suicide Of Patient Who Sought Care
An internal report released Tuesday faulted the Department of Veterans Affairs for the suicide last year of a veteran who had sought treatment through the VA’s medical center in Washington. The patient visited the Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center’s emergency room early last year complaining of withdrawal symptoms and expressing “suicidal ideation,” according to the report by the VA Office of Inspector General. Following a disagreement over the patient’s admittance, one VA physician, according to the report, said that “[the patient] can go shoot [themselves]. I do not care.” (Forrest, 7/28)
