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CHICAGO (AP) — A cardiologist who worked at a Chicago-area Veterans Affairs hospital says the facility had a yearlong backlog of unread heart tests.
Lisa Nee testified Thursday at a Senate hearing on claims against the Department of Veterans Affairs. U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois chaired the Senate subcommittee hearing.
Nee worked at Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital in Maywood from 2011 to 2013. She told lawmakers her "shock turned to horror" when she realized some veterans suffered complications or died after the echocardiograms but before they were interpreted.
The Chicago Tribune reports (http://trib.in/1DVHNFJ ) that Nee said she complained to the VA's Office of Inspector General about the test backlog.
Hines VA Hospital spokeswoman Charity Anderson said in a statement that the facility's main focus is "providing high-quality, timely care to our veterans."
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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com
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