Altoona’s VA hospital has responded to reports of a federal investigation into whether military veterans received proper follow-up for brain injuries.

 

In a written statement, a  spokeswoman for the Van Zandt V.A. Medical Center told WTAJ News, “the health and well-being of our Veterans is our top priority. We are also fully committed to collaborative efforts with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to ensure safe and high quality practices are continuously implemented within the medical center for our Veterans.”

 

The statement went on to say that due to the ongoing investigation, the hospital can’t provide details at this time.

 

The Veterans Administration is looking into allegations that  over a 7-year period, the Van Zandt VA Medical Center failed to follow-up with hundreds of head injury patients,  hurt fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan,

 

James Denofrio, the Administrative Officer for Van Zandt’s Physical Rehab Department says a review of records from 2007 to 2013 showed that a majority of brain injury patients at the hospital weren’t getting case management and follow-up. Denofrio says a second check later in 2014 revealed that 90 cases weren’t been taken care of properly.

 

The whistleblower  told WTAJ, the administration at Van Zandt tried at least twice to have him fired, and that physicians there tampered with his medical records, which resulted in false information about his mental competency being released.

  

The statement released Tuesday by the hospital says “the Altoona VAMC protects whistleblowers and strives for a workplace environment that enables full participation of employees. We have zero tolerance for intimidation or retaliation – not just against whistleblowers, but against any employee who raises a hand to identify a problem, make a suggestion, or report what may be a violation in law, policy, or our core values.”