Widow Sues Tennessee Veterans Hospital Over Husband’s Suicide

By Kristin M. Hall | October 14, 2011

  • October 14, 2011 at 12:45 pm
    Waterbug says:
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    I am so sorry to read about what happened to Scott Eiswert and now to his family. I know a lot of veterans who have received shabby care from the VA including my Dad.

    I am not going to make any political statements right now tempting as it may be. We as a nation need to do a MUCH better job caring for those who risked their lives for causes they believed in.

  • October 14, 2011 at 1:07 pm
    Ins Guy says:
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    I think this is a symptom of a more widespread problem of the lack of resources for the mental health care in general. But I agree, Waterbug, the VA should give the highest standard care for these heroes of the nation, not the minium.

  • October 14, 2011 at 1:49 pm
    Jester says:
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    The challenge becomes how to identify which cases are bonafide suicide risks. Comparatively speaking, that number is very low. There are scores of PTSD patients who never consider suicide. Perhaps this poor soul had an underlying psychological inclination that contributed to his decision. No question our vets deserve the best we can provide them.

  • October 14, 2011 at 7:56 pm
    Old Chief says:
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    When you call the Veterans Suicide line and they send a “hot” referral to the local VAMC it should do something. I did that. The following morning I got a casual phone call from some “Team Lead” that sounded like a burned out candy packer. She didn’t have a clue as to who she was speaking to, or why. THAT’S WHY SUICIDES HAPPEN. Our VAMC is glorious, it just needs to have the Command Board transfered to Guam.

  • October 17, 2011 at 2:23 pm
    PJ says:
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    The VA medical center in Phoenix, Arizona targets disabled veterans, and their families, to create a medical crisis, to further an agenda.

    The objective is devastating to veteran families, and lethal for the veterans who are targets.

    This is a crime, and a special independent council should be appointed to investigate the veteran victims. It is not a matter of lack of resources, but a lack of honor, integrity and competence.

  • November 19, 2011 at 8:32 am
    Anonymous says:
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    I am a mental health care provider and a war veteran. I have applied at multiple VA Hospitals many times across the nation for a position to help other veterans for the past two years without success. I am fully qualified in my field and have excellent references.

    After 3-4 months of submitting an application, I MAY be invited for a phone interview and wait another several weeks for an answer about an offer. By that time, I have another opportunity or job offer from a civilian company. Why is the VA so slow in hiring people, especially if they need mental health providers??? Patients wait for appointments and this can be easily fixed if they improved their hiring practices. In our high tech society, I do not understand why their HR dept is so slow and inefficient.

    many mental health providers are experienced in treating veterans and want to work at the VA. However,most cannot 6 months to start a job. Also, I know they have hired non-veterans for these same positions in a couple cases. These candidates have the same level of education and experience as the veterans who applied for the same positions.

    Why does the VA even put on their USA.GOV website to submit a DD-214 showing an Honorable Discharge with an application for veteran’s preference when they do not honor it and hire non-veterans instead? The VA hires many temp workers from agencies as well. Patients prefer consistent and reliable health care not someone who will leave in 12 weeks and move on to another assignment and never be seen again. Research studies show consistent and reliable health care given by the same providers is better for patient outcomes. Why doesn’t the VA hire only full-time and permanent workers for these positions, especially qualified veterans? Its a win-win situation for staff, patients, and their family members. Government contractors and temp workers make more money per hour and do the same work as permanent workers in these positions.

    Veterans understand other veteran’s health care needs since we have shared similar life experiences. Most veterans have a strong work ethic and get things done efficiently. They teach us that in the military and boot camp. Most veterans can handle stressful job situations and have invaluable work experience ignored by the VA. I am not discriminating but it makes sense to hire more culturally competent providers at the VA.

    Hiring more permanent staff and more veterans is more cost-effective and efficient long term. The patients would receive consistent and quality care improving their outcomes and health. Studies about veteran’s suicide provide the same results every year and the suicide rate is not improving. It seems that similar recommendations are given every year. It is a waste of time, energy, and money. Tragically, veterans continue to commit suicide and families mourn the preventable loss of their loved one. This can be prevented with some changes.

    My suggestions are the VA really begin to examine their problems created by themselves in their system. I feel that many of their suicide prevention programs are poorly planned without any real strategy in place. They expect the veterans to come or call them to them for help. There is poor follow up of results.

    To the VA: Get out in the community and begin connecting with these veterans who need help especially mental health services. Many mental health departments have assertive community treatment teams where they go to patient’s homes and help them in their own environment. Go to homeless shelters and see the veterans there instead of waiting for them to come to the clinic to you. Many homeless vets do not have access to phones, transportation, and other necessities to make or go to an appointment with a couselor.

    Open up satellite mental health clinics at the shelters and community mental health drop-in centers where veterans hang out. Make it easier for them to get help. Their lives are hard enough coping with PTSD and other issues. Many do not like crowd and never leave their homes, further isolating themselves and self-medicating symptoms with alcohol or drugs. These are HUGE risk factors for suicide. Go to their house and check on them. Home health nurses do this.

    I feel very frustrated and sad when I read or learn about veteran’s suicides. I know that many of patient’s problems like access to care can be prevented if the VA would change many of the problems in their health care system and human resource departments. The VA needs a major overhaul. The old system is not working and studies show this on a consistent basis for the past 10 years. The definition of sanity is doing the same thing over and over again getting the same results. I have concluded that the the VA must be insane.



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