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JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — THE PROBLEM: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is failing to see former service members within its own timeliness goal of 30 days, according to a review by The Associated Press. Government data shows the system wait times are generally worse in the Southeast and Gulf Coast, including parts of Mississippi.
STATISTICS: The range of delays varies by facility. Nearly 6 percent of appointments completed at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Biloxi were delayed more than 30 days in January, almost twice the national average of 3.4 percent. The G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson saw delays of about 2.4 percent of appointments. But fewer than 1 percent of appointments were delayed at clinics in Tupelo, Holly Springs, Greenville, Natchez and Columbus.
TRENDS: Performance has been getting worse at both the Jackson and Biloxi hospitals, which are by far the largest facilities in the state, mirroring a national trend in recent months. In Biloxi, 30-day delays have risen every month since September, starting then at 2.8 percent and rising to 5.6 percent in January. Delays have risen in Jackson, but not as much, starting at 1.8 percent in September. Multi-month delays are also growing, especially in Biloxi. At the Biloxi hospital, there were 389 appointments delayed in January more than 60 days, up from 82 in September.
RESPONSE: Mary Kay Gominger, spokeswoman for the Biloxi VA Medical Center, said that the hospital has added extended hours and weekend clinics to try to help accommodate increasing demand, and seeks to fast-track veterans with high-risk conditions. She said that patients have grown by 12 percent over the last three years. Among challenges that Gominger cites are high demand for specialty care, three vacant primary care positions that the hospital is seeking to fill, and problems with people making appointments but not showing up, meaning those slots can't be used to see other patients. She said medical leaders discuss access issues every day in their morning meeting. "Access to care is a top priority for the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System," Gominger said in a statement.
OTHER ISSUES: The Jackson hospital has faced allegations of improper patient care over the past decade, including claims of understaffing, a radiologist who didn't properly read some X-rays, and dirty medical instruments. Officials there said last year they've hired more primary care physicians to improve the speed of care.
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