Tagged: Dayton VA Medical Center

DAYTON, Ohio(AP) - Public records show the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs paid out $940,000 in cases related to the deaths of eight Dayton VA Medical Center patients.

The center came under scrutiny last year after allegations of improper hygiene by a dentist at a clinic. Records requested and obtained by the Dayton Daily News reveal the center has faced 72 medical malpractice claims since 2007, including those related to eight deaths between 2005 and 2008. There are pending claims over two deaths in 2009 and 2010.

A report says the Dayton VA medical center is investigating allegations of improper conduct by an employee.

The director of a local VA medical center rocked last year by allegations of improper dental-clinic hygiene says any lingering patient-care concerns have been addressed and improvements made.

The director says Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center received a "clean slate" on issues identified by the VA's inspector general's office. An inspector general's spokeswoman would not comment Monday.

An investigation found a clinic dentist wasn't regularly changing latex gloves or properly sterilizing equipment. The dentist denies the allegations.

The Dayton VA Medical Center has a new director.  The Center that serves some A southwest Ohio medical center that serves some 37,000 veterans says Glenn Costie took over today.

The Dayton VA Medical center, which was rocked by dental clinic hygiene problems, says he is committed to delivering high quality and safe care to veterans.

Costie was the director at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, MO, the last two-plus years. He spent much of his 27-year VA career at Cleveland's VA Medical Center.