Privacy deemed lacking for female veterans at some VA hospitals

Privacy deemed lacking at some VA hospitals

By Kimberly Hefling - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jul 14, 2009 12:52:04 EDT

WASHINGTON — Veterans Affairs Department hospitals and clinics aren't always making sure women veterans have privacy when they bathe and receive exams, government auditors said Tuesday.

As thousands of women veterans return from Iraq and Afghanistan and enter the VA's health system, the Government Accountability Office reported that no VA hospital or outpatient clinic under review is complying fully with federal privacy requirements.

GAO investigators found that many VA facilities had gynecological tables that faced the door — including one door that opened to a waiting room. It also found instances where women had to walk through a waiting area to use the restroom, instead of it being next to an exam room as required by VA policy.
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Privacy deemed lacking at some VA hospitals