Thought I would post here as some veterans may not know there are other ways to address concerns- say with US VA Health Care like dirty offices, treatment rooms-waiting areas etc... or multiple other issues perhaps...than just going through US Dept. Vet Affairs channels????
One available is perhaps the "Joint Commission" see following web-sites for example only:
Joint Commission - Wikipedia below in "quotes" cited from listed web-link those potentially interested:
"The Joint Commission is a United States-based nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c) organization[1] that accredits more than 21,000 US health care organizations and programs.[2] The international branch accredits medical services from around the world. A majority of US state governments recognize Joint Commission accreditation as a condition of licensure for the receipt of Medicaidand Medicare reimbursements.[3]
The Joint Commission is based in the Chicago suburb of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.[4]"
"Criticisms[edit]
A Harvard led research study published in the BMJ [37] found that US hospital accreditation by independent organizations was not associated with lower mortality or with reduced readmission rates for common medical conditions. The authors concluded that there was no advantage for patients to choose a hospital accredited by The Joint Commission over a hospital accredited by another independent accrediting organization. The Wall Street Journal [38]suggested that the underlying reasons for this is the failure of the Joint Commission to revoke or modify the accreditation status of hospitals with major infractions considered to be so significant they caused, or were likely to cause, a risk of serious injury or death to patients.
The revenue by the nonprofit was $147M in 2013 and in that fiscal year [38], it paid its CEO more than $1M. Hospitals pay the Joint Commission up to $37,000 in fees annually to maintain their accreditation status. Inspections cost approximately $18,000 every three years. These costs are shadowed by the ties of the Joint Commission to industry. Twenty of the Joint Commission’s 32 board members are executives at health systems it accredits or else work at parent organizations of such health systems. In addition, other board members are named by health-care lobbying groups, such as the American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association."
Another perhaps is the "Office of The Surgeon General of The United States" see below web-links if interested:
Surgeon General of the United States - Wikipedia below in "quotes" cited from listed article, once again those interested:
"The surgeon general of the United States is the operational head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC) and thus the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government of the United States. The surgeon general's office and staff are known as the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) which is housed within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.[1]
The U.S. surgeon general is nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. The surgeon general must be appointed from individuals who (1) are members of the Regular Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, and (2) have specialized training or significant experience in public health programs.[2] The surgeon general serves a four-year term of office and, depending on whether the current assistant secretary for health is a Public Health Service commissioned officer, is either the senior or next most senior uniformed officer of the commissioned corps, holding the rank of a vice admiral.[3][4] The current surgeon general is Jerome Adams, having taken office on September 5, 2017.[5]"
Some veterans, vic Gulf Coast VA. whom have had the pleasure of being "unwilling" guests of Uncle Sam and some of their more beautiful vacation spots within the Federal BOP system - have stated that the BOP's FMC's staff personnel take what the Joint Commission, etc.. has to say very seriously about their own as well as other medical facilities...????
If above true, and a Super-moderator can chime in, whom has more knowledge perhaps, all this, then this might be other venues to address issues with not only US Dept. Vet Affairs facilities and staff but potentially others as well- say for example, a less than satisfactory experience when sent outside US VA system under "Veterans Choice Program," etc...?????
Hopefully this assist some vets having issues US Dept. Vet Affairs, etc... and if wrong hopefully a Super-moderator can add some clarity?????
One available is perhaps the "Joint Commission" see following web-sites for example only:
Joint Commission - Wikipedia below in "quotes" cited from listed web-link those potentially interested:
"The Joint Commission is a United States-based nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c) organization[1] that accredits more than 21,000 US health care organizations and programs.[2] The international branch accredits medical services from around the world. A majority of US state governments recognize Joint Commission accreditation as a condition of licensure for the receipt of Medicaidand Medicare reimbursements.[3]
The Joint Commission is based in the Chicago suburb of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.[4]"
"Criticisms[edit]
A Harvard led research study published in the BMJ [37] found that US hospital accreditation by independent organizations was not associated with lower mortality or with reduced readmission rates for common medical conditions. The authors concluded that there was no advantage for patients to choose a hospital accredited by The Joint Commission over a hospital accredited by another independent accrediting organization. The Wall Street Journal [38]suggested that the underlying reasons for this is the failure of the Joint Commission to revoke or modify the accreditation status of hospitals with major infractions considered to be so significant they caused, or were likely to cause, a risk of serious injury or death to patients.
The revenue by the nonprofit was $147M in 2013 and in that fiscal year [38], it paid its CEO more than $1M. Hospitals pay the Joint Commission up to $37,000 in fees annually to maintain their accreditation status. Inspections cost approximately $18,000 every three years. These costs are shadowed by the ties of the Joint Commission to industry. Twenty of the Joint Commission’s 32 board members are executives at health systems it accredits or else work at parent organizations of such health systems. In addition, other board members are named by health-care lobbying groups, such as the American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association."
Another perhaps is the "Office of The Surgeon General of The United States" see below web-links if interested:
Surgeon General of the United States - Wikipedia below in "quotes" cited from listed article, once again those interested:
"The surgeon general of the United States is the operational head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC) and thus the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government of the United States. The surgeon general's office and staff are known as the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) which is housed within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.[1]
The U.S. surgeon general is nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. The surgeon general must be appointed from individuals who (1) are members of the Regular Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, and (2) have specialized training or significant experience in public health programs.[2] The surgeon general serves a four-year term of office and, depending on whether the current assistant secretary for health is a Public Health Service commissioned officer, is either the senior or next most senior uniformed officer of the commissioned corps, holding the rank of a vice admiral.[3][4] The current surgeon general is Jerome Adams, having taken office on September 5, 2017.[5]"
Current Priorities of the U.S. Surgeon General
As the Nation’s Doctor, the U.S. Surgeon General is focused on the most pressing public health issues of our time. Read on about our current priorities.
www.hhs.gov
Contact Us
Contact Us: Learn how to meet with the Surgeon General and ask him to speak at your event. Find out where to address inquiries to the U.S. Surgeon General and to the individual Surgeons General of the Armed Forces.
www.hhs.gov
Some veterans, vic Gulf Coast VA. whom have had the pleasure of being "unwilling" guests of Uncle Sam and some of their more beautiful vacation spots within the Federal BOP system - have stated that the BOP's FMC's staff personnel take what the Joint Commission, etc.. has to say very seriously about their own as well as other medical facilities...????
If above true, and a Super-moderator can chime in, whom has more knowledge perhaps, all this, then this might be other venues to address issues with not only US Dept. Vet Affairs facilities and staff but potentially others as well- say for example, a less than satisfactory experience when sent outside US VA system under "Veterans Choice Program," etc...?????
Hopefully this assist some vets having issues US Dept. Vet Affairs, etc... and if wrong hopefully a Super-moderator can add some clarity?????