Healthcare Inspection Alleged Quality of Care Issues Amarillo VA Health Care System Amarillo, Texas

The purpose of this review was to determine the validity of allegations regarding air ambulance reimbursement and quality of care issues for a patient treated at the Amarillo VA Health Care System (system) in Amarillo, Texas. A patient and his wife alleged he was entitled to have VA reimburse his air ambulance co-pay, that the emergency department (ED) and inpatient admission wait was excessive, that his post traumatic stress disorder diagnosis was not considered when assigning a roommate, and that an anti-anxiety injection left him incoherent for 3 days. They also alleged that his diabetes was untreated, he did not see a physician for 24 hours, and the ED and medical unit were filthy. Because we did not substantiate the allegations, we made no recommendations.