VA probes Charleston hospital

questmaster11 (anonymous) says...

It figures, get someone who wants to do something for the Veterans and see what happens. President Obama has already tried to make us attach our civilian insurance to recieve treatment for service conected ailments at ANY VA hospital. So I guess the next thing to do is to destroy those who do good work and send us back to the care our Vets recieved after the CIVIL WAR. lETS LOOK AT WHAT HE HAS DONE, he upgraded the morale of the staff, He tried to get clinics set up around Charleston to take the load off the Hospital down town. Tried to use the old navy hospital in N. Charleston, as a relief from driving and parking down town. So what has he done wrong, unless the man was caught with his hands in someones elses pocket, (oops thats the tax peoples job,) why is he forced into retiring?
NEWS AND COURIER DO YOUR JOB, FIND OUT WHAT IS BEHIND THIS SUDDEN SHUFFLE. The VETERANS want to know. Oh, by the way, we are the ones who generally buy papers and never get told the truth behind your stories. I like your paper, but want to hear ( as the late great Paul Harvey would say) the rest of the story. Make it happen.

April 17, 2009 at 7:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ln1959 (anonymous) says...

questmaster1...Don't know where you've been, but the VA has been using civilian insurance for over 10 years. When you fill out those forms, you're asked if you have other insurance. If you do, they charge your civilian insurance company if your receive medical service for something thats not service connected.

Look like there trying to get rid of a very good man. It would be very helpful to hear the hold story.

April 17, 2009 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TinaR (anonymous) says...

As someone whose father was recently at the VA Hospital until his death in March, I applaud this move for the following reasons: 1. He had a social worker who NEVER met him until 2 weeks prior to his death who insisted that he could cook and clean for himself but was just to lazy to do so based on what a social worker said from his previous hospitalizatin ini November. He was wheelchair bound. 2. One week prior to being hospitalized he was seen by his primary care physican (who is a physican's assistant) who noted the bloated stomach due to cirrohsis of the liver and said, "Well, Mr. X looks like in a couple of months you'll be having a healthy baby." and did not admit him to the hospital because the following week he had a GI appointment and they could just do it then. 3. On the day of the GI appointment my father was in so much pain that I had to BEG for a gurney for him to lay and and 30 minutes AFTER his scheduled appointment a doctor said "He does not look good when is his appt and who is his doctor." To which I responded his appt was 30 minutes ago, and he was not assigned a doc so I don't know who is seeing him. That doctor took it upon himself to locate the person who was seeing my dad. 4. When the doctor FINALLY showed up, my dad was examined in the HALLWAY in front of everyone not in a room in private. 5. When admitted into the hospital they eventually drained 8 liters of fluid off his stomach! that is right, 8 liters which is about the equialvent of 16 - 20 oz sodas. 5. When he was admitted into ICU a week later, he had 2 fantastic nurses during the days and 1 "couldn't be bothered" (IMHO) with a dying patient the night before he died. No one will ever be able to tell me IF admitted the hospital the week before my father would still be with us today, OR if he would have been in ICU a week sooner. And when my father was taking his final breath, I was talking to a nursing supervisor still fighting to get him the best care and was told to "write a letter." I guess now I know why Mr. Barilich never responded to my request to speak with him via said letter!

April 17, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TinaR (anonymous) says...

Ahhh.. as I was re-reading my comments, I forgot to mention that when my father was finally given a wheelchair, he was told that he would have to wait close to a month for a committee to meet to see about getting a ramp put in his home in Cottageville. He had to wait a FREAKING MONTH I guess the VA was relieved when he passed away before so they did not have to go to the expense of that ramp for him. But getting him in and out of his home for appointments was a 3 person job and was very painful for him.

April 17, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

feb251939 (anonymous) says...

I would like the people who don't use the VA hospital in Charleston that it equals or surpasses most of the private hospitals in the area.

The 'satellite' clinics which were established are very efficient and have greatly reduced wait time for veterans and the care is unsurpassed. We are treated with compassion, not numbers, and ANY criticism about the care we receive from either the doctors or staff is completely unfounded.

I would like to thank Director John Barilich, the doctors and staff for the care I have received over the years, I wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for their dedication.

April 17, 2009 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

pileofalms (anonymous) says...

Ah yes!!! good old MUSC I didn't think it would take long for them to start raping the VA just like they did medicare a few years back. anyone remember them billing the govt for over $2billion in phony charges? billing taxpayers for appointments with doctors who were out of the country on the dates of the "appointments". MUSC employees blew the whistle and were fired. MUSC had to pay back some of the money and rehire the employees.

now add good old henry brown to the mix. old henry has been selling worthless container scanning equipment to US Customs, equipment sold by his friend convicted felon and former head of the SC Republican Party Van Hipp . but then this is SC poorly educated, gullible SC

and to the commenter above, Obama's has only been in office for a couple of months and he is already responsible for Pearl Harbor, the surrender at Gettysburg, The Great Fire of Charleston. its a wonder he has had time to ruin the VA in charleston after Bush had done such a great job.

April 17, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TinaR (anonymous) says...

Dear Feb,

I would like you to know that I am happy that you receive good care from the VA, however that is not always the case for all veterans just from my father's care as an example. IF I had had the money to take him elsewhere, you better believe that I would have. He was not treated with dignity i.e. being examined in a HALLWAY for all to see by a doctor who was sitting at the end of the hall laughing and joking with friends while my father was in extreme pain as the minutes ticked past his appointment time. Then there is the fact that I was called a witch with a capital B for contact Sen DeMint's office by patient advocates.

I certainly hope that your care continues to be the best, but you cannot dare speak to the level of care for ALL vets as my father's case is an example, of how wrong care can go with the VA hospital. I personally would LOVE to speak with these investigators to tell them my father's experience.

And as I said before, my father was blessed with 2 fantastic nurses in the ICU the day before he passed and the morning of his passing. It was not until he was in his final days that I actually felt that someone in the form of those 2 nurses cared about him and his treatment. At least they let him die with dignity. I can recognize when things are done right as well as when they are done wrong.

And while we are investigating the VA, I would love for someone to investigate why it is that the NAVY is never able to put together a full detail for military honor funerals at least that would be when they bother to show up at all.

April 17, 2009 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TinaR (anonymous) says...

I don't see this as a MUSC vs. VA issue, as ALL the doctors who "cared" for my father from his GI appt through hospitalization and eventual death were residents or students from MUSC. His physican's assistant as his primary care doctor was the only person besides nurses who would have been VA staff.

April 17, 2009 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

waterbug (anonymous) says...

TinaR i have no doubts at all about your comments. I have been there and seen the competence and compassion levels at work!!!

April 17, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Get_seriousHELP (anonymous) says...

TinaR, I am very sorry for yours and your fathers experience. I would also like to thank you for your fathers service, as well as your sacrifice while your father served.

There are always stories like yours that make one wonder and angry.

I have to say though, that as retired military with service connected disabilities, that I have always received good care and attention. It may not have always been timely but those medical issues that the VA treat me for are few and not as serious as some other vets and not as serious as your fathers. And for those that think it is free, it is not always "free". There are co-pays for meds and so on.

I use my Tri-care (for retirees) to see a private physician because, it is just easier and I don't want to add to the work load that the VA already is dealing with. It costs, me a little more, (quartly premiums and co-pays) but the conveyance and expedience is worth the cost.

Based on my experience at the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, they are doing a great job for what they have to work with and I appreciate all they do.

As for there being more to this story, I agree, there is something not right in all of this.

April 17, 2009 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

downtownguy (anonymous) says...

The Charleston VA is an excellent hospital that delivers prompt world class care daily to deserving veterans. If I was a veteran, I wouldn't hesitate to get my care there. I don't know this director, but he must have been doing a great job.

April 17, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

furrypawz (anonymous) says...

TinaR,

As unfortunate as your story is, that experience is the exception not the norm at the Charleston VAMC. Evidenced by the fact Charleston is ranked 10th of the 155 VA Medical Centers in the Nation. Not to mention ranked 2nd in Quality of Care...

www.charleston.net/news/2008/aug/14/v...

April 17, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TinaR (anonymous) says...

My opinion furrypawz is that there is even a ranking for gutters and you can be ranked #1 but still be a gutter. Of course they can be ranked highly when complaints are ignored and not looked into and only keep the good comments on the comment computer. I know because I tried to leave feedback on the computer in the Team assigned to my father after my father's last regularly schedule appt and since it was not rated highly for some suspect reason there seemed to be a glitch with negative feedback of myself and 2 others, but the 4th person gave a good review and the feedback took, I tried again and the glitch again appeared.

April 17, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I_Love_d_Peninsula (anonymous) says...

TinaR,
Sorry for your experience and for the death of your dad.
I have a friend whose husband was discharged from that hospital prematurely. When he got home, he was still very ill and she had to rush him back to the nearest hospital where he flat lined, on the way in the ambulance. He was resuscitated and a law suit is pending.
His care was also horrible there.I an can attest to that statement.

April 17, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jerseegirl7 (anonymous) says...

People in this world will never be satisfied no matter how good they get treated. But I guess there are alot of Saints out there who make no mistakes. Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions, and how many times have you been wronged at the airport, walmart, or any other service? you don't hear about that because they don't care! To the woman who lost her father, why are you blaming the VA, it was just his time to go, we all are going some day, but do the blame game. How many of you Saints are always on time at work, if this world was so great we wouldnt be in a recession now, so clean out your own back yard before you throw stones. People are so angry with their finances and all that they need a place to vent so go vent now about the VA hospital, who cares, when it's over your life will still be sad.

April 17, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

wendymdavis (anonymous) says...

I have been an employee for more than 19 years at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. Mr. Barlich has been far the best Director the Medical Center has every had and employees and patients recognize his dedication in caring for our nation's Veterans. His first priority was ensuring Veteran's were provided care second to none. I think it's unfair to judge his character based soley on this article!

April 17, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TinaR (anonymous) says...

I blame the VA because 1. My father should NEVER have been examined in a hallway for an appointment. 2. I should NEVER had had to BEG personnel there for a gurney for him because he was doubled over in pain and 3. HIS Primary Care Physician's assisant should have NEVER made a joke about him having a baby in a couple of months because his stomach was so bloated that a week later 8 liters of fluid had to be drained. That doctor should have admitted him but it is my feeling that he did not want to do the paperwork. 4. A family member should NEVER have to contact a COngressman or Senator for a Vet to receive proper care and if they do they should NEVER be called a Witch with a Capital B.

Besides, I did state that he was blessed with 2 fantastic nurses in the ICU and 1 not so great one, he was also blessed with a fantastic nurse on the floor that he was on for a week before his time in the ICU.

And Jerseegirl I sure as hell hope that you never have a family member treated that way as they are dying and deal with a jerk like yourself who thinks well it was just his time to do.. YOU cannot say that if things had been done differently he would not be alive or not.

April 17, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TinaR (anonymous) says...

Wendy I am not juding Mr. Barilich or his character based on this article. I was told by a nursing supervisor as my father was taking his last breath to write a letter to let someone know. This article actually brings to light the reason that he did not respond to my letter.

But I can judge the VA Hospital or at least the people involved with my father's care based on what I saw while he was there and how he was treated. I can also blame the VA for a patient advocate calling me a rather unpleasant name because he thought that he could simply because I contacted a Senator because I was concerned about the level of care that my father was receiving.. Those are what I judge the VA on, not Mr. Barilich. Maybe that would have been different if I had had the chance to meet with him, but I was not.

April 17, 2009 at 11:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

wendymdavis (anonymous) says...

Tina - I apologize as my intention was not to indicate that you were juding him. All that I have spoken to are saddened by this news. I want everyone to know how we feel and for anyone that may hold off on judging his character. I have dedicated my career to the hospital for a reason. I truly do believe that we do strive on a daily basis to keep our promise to our Veteran's - providing care to none, improving access, as well as ensuring Veteran's are satisfied based on their outcome. The VA strives to keep this promise to all Veteran's that we care for. It's disheartening to me to hear of the experience your family as well as your father may have received at our facility as well as your experience with a patient advocate. I just want all to know that read this article that our VA strives on providing the best care to our Veteran's. Again, as a VA employee I apologize for the loss of your father.

April 17, 2009 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jerseegirl7 (anonymous) says...

TinaR you are putting the whole VA on front street because of your experience. It's people like you who tear down a good place. This is just your word that the events happened as you said, no one knows that to be facutal. If we asked the people here who assited you it wouldnt be the same answer, so why should we just believe things were as bad as you say? because you wrote your comment. I hope others dont judge off one bad experience. Some people cannot be pleased no matter what! Their motive is to wake up and see who they are going to piss off today!

April 17, 2009 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tygers1231 (anonymous) says...

I had the experience of helping you TinaR, I understand whole heartedly how upset you are, I hope that the answers that I provided that day helped you and I am very sorry that you lost your father. However, please do not judge everyone at the VA for your bad experience. I am a service connected disabled vet and I work at the VA. I wake up everyday and know that my #1 responsibility is to make sure that I give 150% to ALL veterans that I come in contact with. I have only been here for a few months and I can honestly say that I have only heard GREAT things from my coworkers about Mr Barilich, so I hope that he is not judged by this article. Everyone should know that when things go south in a big organization that someone HAS to take the fall regardless, and in this situation it is him. As long as there are people, there will be the need for hospitals and NO hospital rather it is a VA or a Public/Private Sector hospital people are not going to be happy. Death is a part of Life.....You will have both in a hospital. Again, TinaR, I have thought about your family and have included you guys in my prayers, again, I sympathize with your frustration, but please do not judge everyone and the care we provide here at the Ralph H Johnson Medical Center.

April 17, 2009 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kma71 (anonymous) says...

Wow!! What a heated discussion. My father spent most of the last 2 years of his life in and out of this hospital. He received excellent care. My wife is a current employee at the hospital, and she never has anything negative to say about the docs or nurses there. She truly loves her job.

April 17, 2009 at 1 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TinaR (anonymous) says...

Tygers, I do remember you, and I can say that you are 1 of 5 people that I can think of that in the last 2 weeks of my father's life who actually gave a darn. And actually his smaller wheelchair arrived the day of his funeral. One was also a doctor in the GI clinic who looked at my dad and said he did not look good and went and found the doctor who was supposed to see him, the other 3 being nurses. Like I said, I am judging the VA based on what happened the end of Feb being of March as we ran into many more people who did not care than those who did, and we are greatful for the ones who cared.

April 17, 2009 at 1:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TinaR (anonymous) says...

Jerseegirl, I have no reason to lie, but father is dead and no long a patient there. I just hope that my uncles who go there will be treated better than my father was BECAUSE I spoke up as well as the many other Vets who are there on a daily basis.

I recall on Feb 14th when my dad was having a problem with his meds and I went there, I saw a woman struggling to find someone to answer questions regarding her husband who had surgery the day before and no one would help her. The incidents regarding my family are not the only ones out there. I am certain once the investigation takes place, people will be surprised at what all comes out.

Like I said, there are several good people there, however, it is my feeling that the bad outweigh the good ones or cast the shadow on them.

April 17, 2009 at 1:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

icbmman (anonymous) says...

I smell a rat with this issue, and it isn't Mr. Barilich or the VA hospital.

As a prior vet, I can tell you that many VA hospitals do get the reputation of being a medical "hobby shop", but the Chas VA facility has been recognized as a higher quality health care center, mainly caused and influenced by its relationship with MUSC, despite what pileofalms says. I have no idea why the director was removed from the administration, but I can tell you as a health care administrator myself, there are higher powers involved.

Most directors will decide to retire or take another position with another healthcare organization, and some who are forcibly removed, as Mr. Barilich was, are usually involved with some sort of dispute or controversy with the hospital's board. With VA admin, the higher offices of the VA in Washington make those decisions.

The removal of the VA director and the lack of information relating to it makes me highly suspicious. Indeed, the P&C needs to do some serious investigation on the matter.

April 17, 2009 at 1:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Friday30 (anonymous) says...

I have been an employee at the VA for almost 10 years now. I have to say that before Mr. Barlich, I didn't even know who the director was. Mr. Barlich held town hall meetings so that staff could voice their concerns and he could answer their questions directly. I think it showed he truly cared about the employees. He has always stressed the priority of our hospital was to provide the best care to our veterans. Tina, I am sorry for your experience. I am the first to admit that there are problems here especially when it comes to certain staff but then again that is at every facility. There are also extraordinary people here who go out of their way for our veterans and I believe Mr. Barlich was one of them. When you say that after that investigation, people may be surprised at what they find, you are right but not for reasons you think.

April 17, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TinaR (anonymous) says...

Friday, like I said in my first post, I was told to write Mr. Barilich a letter concerning the care, and at least I now know why he did not respond to the letter, was that he was not there but it was not common knowledge to the public.

I am sure that there are some fantastic people who work at the VA, my problem seems to be that I only came across about 5 of them with my father's care and some of the more important people (being doctors) were some that were not so great. Because I for the life of me, cannot see where examining a patient in a crowded hallway leads to privacy or dignity for that matter. Apparently the patient privacy laws were violated in that instance and no one at the VA cared.

April 17, 2009 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jigirl (anonymous) says...

TinaR,
With a daughter like you I can see why your father drank himself to death. You're quite the energy vampire.

April 17, 2009 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BobH1962 (anonymous) says...

I too am a Service Connected disable veteran who not only recieves care at the VA Medical Center in Charleston but I am also an employee there. I have worked in private hospitals in the Charleston area and I know that the care that the veterans receive at the VA in Charleston is second to none. It is a shame that Mr Barilich has to be the one that takes the blame for the mistakes of others as he has done an incredible job as Director. He has made it his PASSION to ensure that not only the veterans receives the best and most accessible care possible but to institute change in a system where change takes years. To have our/my VA ranked 10th in the nation and 2nd overall in our region for Quality Care is an astounding feat which Mr Barilich accomplished during his short tenure as Director. That in itself speaks highly of Mr. Barlich's dedication to providing our veterans the best of care anywhere. It is a shame that such a dedicated Director has to take the blame for those under him who did not share his vision or those who made the choice to not do their job properly.
Mr. Barilich, your presence and dedication to our veterans and employees will be truly missed and whoever follows you has pretty big "size 12's" to fill. I wish you "Fair winds and Following Seas" in your retirement.
TinaR, I am sorry to hear of your father's death and the way you were treated, but I can tell you from personal experience that this also happens EVERY DAY in private hospitals as well and I don't see the CEO's/Directors of those hospitals being scrutinized as intensely in the pages of the Post and Courier.
There are many other factors that are involved in this situation that people don't know about and unfortunately it is Mr. Barilich being the Director and the top of the Chain of Command that is bearing the brunt of other's mistakes. For those that were in the Navy you will understand the following honor.....FOUR BELLS......Director.....Departing.

April 17, 2009 at 5:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fbachbaby1 (anonymous) says...

TinaR,
I am sad to hear about the treatment and loss of your father who like me served his country. Yes I am a retired vet and have been to the VA hospital and I can tell you they do not follow appointment time well. After I retired and went for my evaluations I decide to see a health care provider not associated with the VA for various reasons. However I have called many of times to get an appointment set up with no results from the VA.
I will not blame anyone in relation to this as I am sure the VA is busy with other complaints, patients in greater need then I at this time. However, I do think that people arguing about this care and so forth should not as no one knows the whole story and we are all entitled to our opinions.
As with the Director being placed on leave because of the investigation I have to say since we do not know the whole situation that brought this about we need to see what the investigation results show. Since he is overall in charge of the operations of the VA hospital it would fall on his shoulders if something was/is found to be releived of his job.
I am sure he had made termendous changes at the VA and would have continued to do so but as far as my knowledge there have been problems brewing there for a while so they have finally opened up to get the attention they need to be resolved.

April 17, 2009 at 7:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

greyman (anonymous) says...

Yeah I hate the VA. Thank god my wife has good health insurance that I can use. I tried to get an appointment for high blood preassure. They didn't even want to give me an appointment. I had to call the pt advocate. Then the Dr called me pissed off He said he would switch me to a nurse practitioner. He said I didn't need BP medicine b/c I was too young. He based this off 2 readings. One of wich was high. This is after telling him my BP was 180/100 one night w/ blurred vision and a headache. All I wanted was an appointment to talk to the Dr. That guy was an idiot. How did he make it through med school. The care I have recieved there has been terrible. They try and handle everything on the phone.

April 17, 2009 at 8:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hg (anonymous) says...

Being a hospital administrator is not just about providing good patient care. It is about running the hospital as a whole. Although Mr. Barilich was a good leader when it came to providing patient care, he did not possess the total package needed to run an entire facility. His Human Resource Department, Logistic Department and his own department is in a shambles, all from mismanagement. He is ultimately responsible, that's why he got paid the big bucks. He personally demonstrated his lack of ethics when he created positions for his friend and his Associate Director's husband, at GS 12 level ($70,000+ a year) and neither were qualifield for the positions. I believe a lot more will be revealed as the investigation unfolds. Stay tuned.

April 19, 2009 at 7:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )