
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 6, 1991                   TAG: 9104060074
SECTION: NATL/INTL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

GOVERNMENT TAKES BLAME IN VA DEATHS

The government accepted blame Friday for six deaths at a veterans' hospital in suburban Chicago, where poor care has forced an end to certain surgeries and a shuffling of staff.

The concession followed last week's report by investigators in the Veterans Affairs' Department, who said they found untimely tests and unnecessary surgeries at the North Chicago hospital.

Despite the critical report and the acknowledgment that poor care led to deaths, the department's chief medical officer said the 1,004-bed hospital has an important role in treating veterans.

One-hundred forty patients died from June 1989 to March 1990, the report said. After extensive review of 15 cases, the agency accepted blame in six deaths.

by CNB