St. Cloud VA touts positive updates

Feeling the weight of a stinging Inspector General report, and in the wake of a tumultuous town hall meeting pitting management against workers, the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Hospital recently sent out a full-throated, good news update about itself.

"In the face of the continuing high volume of news media reporting and political activity about the VA here in St. Cloud, we're continuing to focus on delivering quality health care to veterans in a timely manner and with a positive experience," the e-mail said. Among the achievements it touted:

• Since Oct. 1, 2014, 25 physician and mid-level providers have been hired to improve access to primary care, specialty care, mental health, and extended care services. An additional nine providers have accepted offers of employment and are scheduled to begin work in the next two months.

• During that same time, one physician and 10 mid-level providers were hired for primary care. Additionally, two physicians and six additional mid-level providers have accepted offers.

The hospital said patient wait times are in line with established guidelines. In December 2015, it conducted 34,366 patient appointments, and almost 97 percent were completed within 30 days. On average, a primary care patient waited a little more than four days to complete an appointment. In specialty care clinics, a patient waited almost eight days; and in mental health, a patient waited just over four days.

"We recognize that these are averages and don't reflect every veteran's experience. We'll keep working toward reducing and eliminating waits," the hospital said.

In October, tensions had become so high between management and workers at the St. Cloud VA that two members of Congress proposed federal mediation to address the problem.

The investigation validated complaints of a hostile work environment created by senior managers and problems with canceled appointments for patients because of insufficient staffing.

U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer and Tim Walz visited the St. Cloud facility and recommended the mediation. According to the St. Cloud VA, management and the local union had their first mediation session Jan. 12-14. Another is planned for mid-March.

Of 18 similar VA facilities that do not have acute medical/surgical impatient care services, the St. Cloud VA said it was recently told by the VA that it ranks in the top 20 percent in categories such as death rate, complications, and patient satisfaction for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015.

"While the label is nice, the report shows that our team consistently provides high quality, preventive-focused health care that serves to help our veterans remain healthy and out of the hospital," the St. Cloud VA said.

Minnesota's entire congressional delegation wrote a letter to VA Secretary Bob McDonald in December urging him to visit St. Cloud to reassure workers and patients of the VA's commitment to the facility.

There's been no word from McDonald yet about whether he will take them up on the offer.