Oklahoma City VA Hospital To Undergo Investigation

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Federal agents are investigating the Oklahoma City VA hospital after complaints from patients and employees.

The union lodged an official complaint in July. Now the investigation is heating up. More than 100 union members have launched complaints and a 20-member federal investigative team will visit the hospital Tuesday to see firsthand what employees are calling corruption in the hospital.

"They sent down an inspection team in August and they did a very intensive three-day on-site visit plus numerous follow ups, and they made the recommendation that they send out a 20-man team," Chris Sanford said.

Sanford said he has hundreds of stories, complaints and proof of corruption. Union members accuse the hospital administration of misconduct.

"There are significant issues with discrimination, with women and minorities, and that there was a toxic environment in the hospital. Employee moral directly affects patient care. If you have an environment that is run by fear, intimidation, and chaos, that translates to patient care," Sanford said.

He says the VA has set up a hotline for staff to anonymously report their complaints.

"Some of the feedback I have received from employees is that they had to wait up to 45 minutes, the phones were so jammed," he said.

VA spokesperson Stacy Rine, wouldn't go into detail, but confirmed the hospital is being reviewed next week.

"Overall I think it will be a positive thing to improve partnership between laborers and management. The review will be complete and recommendations made by November 30.