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VA Hospitals Making Fewer Errors Because Of Checklists

Not long ago, many Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities were having problems with performing incorrect surgeries and medical procedures. To fix that problem, VA hospitals nationwide implemented a checklist system, in which nurses and doctors went through the list to ensure the proper procedure was being performed on the proper patient and the patients' proper body parts. Consequently, such errors declined.

According to a study focusing on quality improvement covering reports from 2006-2009, "close calls" have increased. While reported errors dropped from 3 to 2 every month, close calls jumped from 2 to 3 every month.

Many critics question the decline in errors as not really happening but as a result of those errors simply no longer being reported. VA spokespeople, however, deny such a claim and highlight how much safer VA care has become. Further, that the number of close calls has increased is proof more people are, in fact, reporting issues occurring with medical procedures.

A large part of the VA's increased quality of care depends on people reporting problems. It is only from those mistakes that progress can be made. Including the entire medical procedure staff in the checklist process adds to the increased alertness during the procedure. This makes people feel more open to saying something about a perceived problem during the procedure.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.