CHICAGO (AP) — Officials of Hines Veterans Administration Hospital outside Chicago say they have addressed the finding of cockroaches in food preparation areas and on serving trays handed patients.
The VA inspector general last year found the problem was persistent and hospital leadership knew about the unsanitary conditions and didn’t resolve the problem.
The investigation was undertaken at the request of then-Sen. Mark Kirk and then-Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth. It wasn’t immediately known what prompted them to request the inspection, the findings of which were released Tuesday.
Hines spokesman Rick Fox says hospital officials have been addressing the issues on a daily basis, which has resulted in dramatic improvements. Fox added hospital officials were working on a long-term solution that includes a remodel of the kitchen.
