VA Hospital Mistakes: Leaders got bonuses despite problems within their systems

Reporting by Gregg Zoroya, USA TODAY

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Department of Veterans Affairs officials had trouble explaining to a House committee why department officials received awards and bonuses while hospitals they oversaw were the sites of infectious disease outbreaks and suicide deaths in recent years.

Buffalo was among the cities where leaders got bonuses despite problems within their systems. The Upstate New York network director, David West, got nearly $26,000 in bonuses despite revelations that workers re-used disposable insulin pens on patients at the Buffalo hospital, putting veterans at risk of HIV or hepatitis infections.
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