U.S. Accepts Blame in Six Deaths at Veterans’ Hospital in Chicago

WASHINGTON — The government accepted blame Friday for six deaths at a veterans’ hospital in North Chicago, where poor care forced an end to certain surgeries and led to changes in the staff.

The concession followed a report last week by investigators in the Veterans Affairs Department, who said they had found improper treatment, untimely tests and unnecessary surgeries at the hospital.

“To say it is the worst hospital in our system would not be a fair statement,” said Dr. James Holsinger Jr., the VA’s chief medical officer. “They have a number of programs other than vascular surgery, which was the area the inspector general was especially critical of.”

One-hundred and forty patients died from June, 1989, to March, 1990, the report said. After extensive review of 15 cases, the agency accepted blame in six deaths.

In one of the six, “There was absolutely no question in our minds that the VA was at fault in the care of the patient,” Holsinger said.

In the other five, “We were not clearly sure if the complication was natural or the complication was due to less-than-quality care,” he said. “Whenever we see this, we find in favor of the veterans.”

The VA will eventually invite the families of the six to discuss a financial settlement.

Vascular and orthopedic surgeries have ended at the hospital and the chief of staff was reassigned.