onewhoknows

ABC News -- V.A. Hospital Investigation

April 5, 2004

AN EXCLUSIVE DIANE SAWYER "PRIMETIME THURSDAY" INVESTIGATION:

HIDDEN CAMERAS UNCOVER DISTURBING NEW FINDINGS ABOUT CONDITIONS AND
COMPETENCE INSIDE SOME VETERANS' HOSPITALS

The Hour-Long “Primetime" Report Airs April 8 at 10pm E.T.


In an hour-long "Primetime Thursday" investigation, Diane
Sawyer uncovers disturbing new information about quality of care and
questionable management practices at some of America's veterans'
hospitals. These hospitals are the primary source of medical care for
thousands of veterans -- including some of those returning from the
current war in Iraq. "Primetime" hidden cameras capture images of
appalling sanitary conditions, as well as candid assessments from
hospital employees and patients about the problems inside several
troubled facilities. Sawyer also interviews veterans' family members
who tell chilling stories of misdiagnosis and neglect. "PRIMETIME
THURSDAY" airs APRIL 8 (10:00-11:00PM E.T.) on the ABC Television
Network.

Fourteen years ago, Sawyer's first report on problems at
Veterans' Administration hospitals raised eyebrows and prompted
official investigations. Once again, "Primetime" hidden cameras
secretly journey inside some of these hospitals, documenting alarming
examples of potentially dangerous hygiene practices, outdated medical
equipment, understaffed wards and overworked nursing staffers.
"Primetime" also finds instances of doctors not showing up for
surgeries and out-patient clinics.

Sawyer chronicles the stories of several vets whose
misdiagnoses at V.A. hospitals had tragic consequences. Perhaps none
is more powerful than that of Terry Soles, who served in the Navy
during the war in Vietnam. Soles went to a V.A. hospital for two years
complaining of intense abdominal pain and diarrhea. During that time,
his lab tests were often lost and had to be repeated. He was seen by a
series of residents who often didn't know the course of treatment
doctors before them had recommended. At one point, doctors thought
Soles' problem was psychosomatic. When his weight dropped to eighty
pounds and he could no longer recognize his own son, Soles' wife took
him to private doctor, who found that cancer had pervaded his body.
Soles died three days after the diagnosis.

Some critics say many of the V.A.'s biggest problems may
be attributed to a lack of funding for staffing and treatment.
Veterans typically wait months for an initial appointment in the
mammoth hospital system.

V.A. Secretary Anthony Principi was scheduled to discuss
these and other findings with Sawyer, but then cancelled their
interview when he learned of the hidden camera footage. Deputy
Undersecretary for Health Dr. Jonathan Perlin tells Sawyer that the
code violations and mismanagement documented by "Primetime" are
unacceptable and will be investigated. But, he says, they are
anomalies in what is an otherwise improved and reformed veterans'
health care system. "This is a big system," says Dr. Perlin. "We…take
care of 7 million veterans…While the majority of care is good, in a
big system, bad things happen."

ABCNEWS.com will provide companion programming and carry
reports from "Primetime Thursday" on ABC News Live, the 24/7 streaming
video news network available on the Internet to subscribers. Go to
ABCNEWS.com for more information.

Diane Sawyer and Charles Gibson are the co-anchors of
“Primetime Thursday.” Robert Lange is the executive producer. (CLOSE
CAPTIONED)

-- ABC --

ABC News Media Relations:

Adam Pockriss -- (212) 456-7243; adam.pockriss@abc.com

Lisa Finkel -- (212) 456-6190; lisa.finkel@abc.com