surgeries

Controversial Change at Wilmington VA Hospital Reversed

A controversial downgrade of surgical capability at the Wilmington Veterans Affairs hospital has been reversed.

The News Journal reports intermediate surgeries, such as chest biopsies, shoulder reconstructions and small bowel resections, will again be conducted at the hospital this fall after enough specialists have been hired. The announcement came through an internal memo Thursday that The News Journal has since obtained.

In September 2014, the hospital stopped conducting the intermediate procedures, citing fears about the hospital's ability to respond to complications that could arise. Instead, many patients were directed to the Philadelphia VA hospital.

That change angered many Delaware Congressmen, who feared the decision would lead to further cost-saving reductions at the hospital. The delegation wrote a letter earlier this month to VA Secretary Robert McDonald about the downgrade.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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