The VA may be ahead of the technology curve, but...

I have written about the VA hospitals in the past, impressed by the use of EMR/EHR systems. It's a sign of progressiveness.

However, every so often one is reminded that technological advacement does not a better service make by itself if money and quality people are lacking. The news about the poor conditions of the Walter Read barrack opened investigations into military hospitals. One VA hospital here in Texas (luckily not Houston's) was shown to provide very poor care over & over again.

The patients range from terminally ill Vietnam-era veterans seeking cancer treatment, to a decorated Marine wounded in Northern Iraq who is now dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and drug addiction.

Their complaints begin with the long wait just to be admitted to the hospital, but they don’t stop there. Once in the system, they describe an uncaring and unresponsive staff unwilling to provide even the most basic care. The most serious allegations suggest misdiagnoses, if not malpractice.

This is an excerpt from "Investigation Reveals VA Hospital Conditions" by Ginger Allen for Dallas' CBS station.