VA Limits Types of Surgeries at Some of its Hospitals Due to Deaths

Following deaths in southern Illinois, VA limit types of surgeries at some of its hospitals 05/06/2010. The Veterans Affairs Department is limiting the types of surgeries performed at some of its hospitals following a system-wide review prompted by surgical deaths at its southern Illinois hospital.

Under a new system, the VA has given each hospital a "surgical complexity" level. Because of that, hospitals in at least five states will now only perform less-complicated surgeries. The hospitals are in Alexandria, La.; Beckley, W.Va.; Fayetteville, N.C.; Danville, Ill.; and Spokane, Wash.  LA Times via AP