Noteboom The Law Firm

VA Offering Online Hospital Comparison Tool

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system has, at times, been viewed as a "system of last resort." It has spent millions of dollars and multiple years attempting to change that image. In its latest move to demonstrate its health care proficiency, the VA has published an online hospital comparison tool, which should help those with veterans disability cases.

Last November, the VA started publishing information on "patient outcomes" specific to the VA's 152 medical facilities across the nation. Veterans can log onto the website and compare detailed information between hospitals such as:

 

·      surgical death rates;

·      IV line infections; and

·      medical complications leading to re-admission.

 

VA hospital administrators are dedicated to improving performances at their hospitals due to VA pressure. Improvements in medical standards have been ordered, and the VA has stated they plan on firing those doctors who are rated in the bottom 10% of their national ratings.

Although rating hospitals is not a new phenomenon, the VA has never before published such information. Further, the VA's comparison tool is "unusually comprehensive and possible, in part, because of [its] uniformity and electronic recordkeeping." Despite whatever criticism the VA has suffered in the past, this online comparison tool will foster transparency and accountability.

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.