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Dear VA Maryland Health Care System E-News Subscriber:
Yesterday, the Department of Veterans Affairs released results from the
Nationwide Access Audits, along with facility level patient access data,
for all VA health care facilities throughout the country in response to the
ongoing investigations regarding allegations of inappropriate scheduling
practices at some VA medical centers. I am pleased to report that the
Access Audit for the VA Maryland Health Care System found no inappropriate
scheduling practices and had no significant recommendations. As an
organization that is dedicated to high ethical standards, this is something
we can all celebrate.
As you might have already seen in the press, the VA Maryland Health Care
System was listed as having the fourth longest wait time for new patients
to receive primary care appointments as compared to other VA health care
facilities. While we did an outstanding job in the wait times for existing
patients with an average wait time of 4 days for a primary care appointment
and with 96 percent of all patients scheduled for appointments within 30
days or under, we need to improve the wait time for new patients to receive
a primary care appointment. To immediately improve the wait time and to
better serve the needs of our new Veteran patients, we have implemented the
following actions:
- We are hiring additional primary care
providers and support staff to improve the wait time for new patients to
receive a primary care appointment throughout our health care system.
- We have
re-introduced Saturday primary care clinic appointments at the
Baltimore VA Medical Center.
- We are contacting all new patients who
are waiting more than 90 days for a primary care appointment to offer them
an earlier clinic appointment in a VA Maryland Health Care facility or with
a community partner.
- We are reviewing, evaluating and
prioritizing patient needs on a daily basis to ensure that we are
addressing any urgent needs of our Veteran patients.
As the Director of the VA Maryland Health Care System, I apologize for the
wait time for new primary care patients to receive an appointment
throughout our organization. I recognize the stress that the long wait time
may have caused for new Veteran patients, and we will do whatever it takes
to ensure that patients are seen in a timely manner. Please know that we
will continue to work to correct systemic problems in accessing VA health
care for all Veteran patients throughout the state. It is our duty and
privilege to provide Veterans the care they have earned through their
service and sacrifice. This is a duty we take very seriously.
While we are proud of the quality health care we provide to those who
served in the armed forces and the commitment of our dedicated employees,
we recognize that there are always opportunities to improve. We want to
assure you that we remain committed to providing quality, safe and
compassionate health care to Maryland's Veterans.
Thank you for allowing us to serve your health care needs.
Dennis H. Smith
Director, VA Maryland Health Care System
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