Noteboom The Law Firm

VA Implementing New Grading System for Surgeries at VA Facilities

May 12, 2010 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is implementing a new grading system. The VA will now grade their 112 VA in-patient treatment facilities based on their capacity to perform various procedures. As of May 11, 2010, there will be no elective surgeries performed at any VA medical center exceeding the rating.

If absolutely required, facilities exceeding the rating could still perform emergency surgeries. A low ranking means the facility has been performing surgeries beyond their competence rating. The following facilities have received the lowest rankings:

• Alexandria, La.;
• Beckley, W. Va.;
• Fayetteville, N.C.;
• Illiana, Ill.; and
• Spokane, Wash.

 The grading system has actually been in place since March and has been grading facilities on their ability to perform complex, intermediate, and standard procedures. To date, complex procedures can only be performed at 66 VA in-patient facilities and intermediate procedures can be performed at 33. The remaining 13 facilities are restricted to performing only standard procedures. Facilities are graded on:

• Operating room staff;
• Available surgical consultants;
• Equipment capabilities; and
• Diagnostic capabilities.

 Very few procedures every year rise to the level of being considered complex under this system. The VA believes there will be very minimal impact on patients. Further, the VA plans on aiding those veterans with any transportation needs.

The VA's goal is not only to treat veterans but to protect them at the same time. By implementing this new grading system, every veteran is being protected from undergoing a procedure at a VA medical center not competent to perform that procedure.