The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs inspector general is initiating system-wide changes after determining the Roseburg (Ore.) Veterans Affairs Medical Center performed colonoscopies using outdated methods, The News-Review reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., sought the investigation after a constituent alerted him to sub-standard colonoscopies performed at the medical center.
2. After releasing his findings, the inspector general recommended the Veterans Health Administration revise its colorectal cancer screening guidelines.
3. The constituent also informed Mr. DeFazio of long wait times at the center, but the VA addressed those issues with the addition of a new clinic in Eugene, Ore.
4. While the inspector general's report noted the center's colonoscopies had no documented adverse events, the former chief of surgery at Roseburg VA was using outdated practices like burning polyps.
Center physicians also recommended surveillance colonoscopies without pathology results and recommended longer wait times than what is clinically suggested.
The center's surgery chief stopped performing colonoscopies in August 2014.