KUSA - Substandard care at a Colorado VA hospital likely caused the death of Hepatitis C patient Rodger Holmes, according to a report by an outside liver specialist.
Holmes, a Vietnam veteran who received care at the Grand Junction VA hospital, died last December.
Dr. Joanne Imperial, a liver expert who teaches at Stanford University Medical School, was hired by a coalition of Holmes' family and friends to review the VA's medical records. Imperial's report says the VA failed to give Holmes access to a liver disease specialist, and there was "poor continuity" in his care.
The report concludes VA employees made "strong efforts" during the last months of Holmes' life, but earlier harmful treatment decisions likely contributed to his death.
"Rodger is in my heart and in my thoughts every day," said Chris Blumenstein, a former VA social worker who publicized his concerns about Holmes' medical care. He helped form the Remembering Veteran Rodger Holmes Campaign.
"Rodger always spoke passionately about wanting to help other veterans," Blumenstein said. "We cannot fix this problem until the culture of accountability and transparency that we hear about ad nauseam from VA national leadership is actually reflected on the ground in these institutions."
Blumenstein forwarded a copy of the Dr. Imperial's report to investigators with the VA's Office of Inspector General. The OIG got involved at the urging of Sen. Michael Bennet.
A Grand Junction VA spokesman said he could not discuss the Holmes case, due to the ongoing federal investigation.
The hospital now refers all Hepatitis C patients to either private liver specialists on the Western Slope or to the Denver VA hospital.
(© 2015 KUSA)