The VA Speaks Out

Back in October the Fort Wayne VA Hospital  suddenly stopped its in-patient services. 

A four-phase plan is now in motion.  The plan is geared  towards improving the overall care for our local veterans.

"As we looked at ourselves we said we can do this better we can improve," said Denise Deitzen, director of the VA Northern Indiana.    

Last October the VA abruptly stopped its acute and intensive care services to conduct an internal review.  In that time the VA sent over 400 veterans to local hospitals for treatment.    In December, Denise Deitzen was named the hospitals director and she says there was strategy behind the sudden pause.

"The advantage of doing it the way we did that that we were able to have everyone focused on the improvements that we wanted to make," said Deitzen.    

The VA is in phase two its  four phase plan, meaning six in-patient beds are now open to vets with low medical risks. The Hospital hopes to have 26 beds open by the end of the month.  

"We have worked hard to make sure that we have processes in place that will help assure that and help us check on a daily basis to make sure we are providing the care to a level we want," said Deitzen.   

 "I got blasted my head, my side, my lung, my liver," said Tom David, a veteran. 

Veterans like Tom Davis rely on the VA's services but he says he wants to get the care he needs at the VA rather than  a different local hospital.   

"They should have all the beds open like me I'm a terminal patient, combat veteran I deserve the care from the VA," said Davis.    

A timeline hasn't been set for the four phase plan.