The fact that any medical practitioner could be so irresponsible is outrageous, let alone at a facility which is charged with caring for those who have protected us from tyranny. Upon learning of this investigation from the VA, I contacted Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman to begin working together towards finding out how and why this had occurred.
In February, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began informing nearly 600 veterans in our community that they could have been infected with a number of blood born diseases due to unsanitary practices by a dentist in the Dayton VA Dental Clinic. Results of preliminary tests conducted by the VA have identified nine veterans as having tested positive for Hepatitis B or C. The fact that any medical practitioner could be so irresponsible is outrageous, let alone at a facility which is charged with caring for those who have protected us from tyranny. Upon learning of this investigation from the VA, I contacted Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman to begin working together towards finding out how and why this had occurred.On February 16th we sent a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki requesting that the Department of Veterans Affairs initiate a national review of the practices at the Dayton VA Medical Center. Additionally, we called for Secretary Shinseki to direct that a national level Administrative Investigation board (AIB) reinvestigate the Dayton Medical Facility. We also requested copies of the System-wide Ongoing Assessment Review Strategy and all other internal investigations surrounding the incident.
Since my initial request of these documents nearly a month ago, I have yet to receive a response. Dayton VA Director Guy Richardson and the VA pledged to fully cooperate throughout this process, and the time has come for them to do that by releasing these reports. I have set a deadline of March 11th to ensure that we can move forward with this process. The fulfillment of our request allows the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association to begin their independent review of the investigation. This travesty which occurred in our community warrants a community response from those who have proven themselves in this profession.
Local leaders in the healthcare field including Tim Collins of Premier Health Care and Dr. Greg Wise of Kettering Hospital will provide leadership on a technical review of the reports as soon as we receive them. They have an outstanding reputation of integrity and professionalism, and are an important factor in Dayton’s hospitals recently being ranked #1 in quality for the entire State of Ohio and #3 in the entire country for quality outcomes as reported in a study by HealthGrades. Their assessment will ensure the reports receive an objective assessment regarding the quality of care provided. Bryan Bucklew of the Greater Dayton Association of Hospital Administrators (GDAHA), along with GDAHA Board Chair Mary Boosalis, will also review the reports.
While I await word from the VA on the reports, I have also requested a meeting with Secretary Shinseki. Our veterans deserve to be reassured by the Secretary that he is taking action on this matter, and that serious steps are made to ensure that this never occurs again. Furthermore, Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee has indicated that he would like to see the facility first hand. I look forward to joining him when he reviews the Dayton VA Hospital and along with my colleagues in the Senate am anxiously awaiting these investigative documents.