Survey of the Veterans Administration's Radiology Program

A survey was conducted of the Veterans Administration (VA) radiology program at the VA central office and the radiology service units of the Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, VA hospitals.

The Cleveland VA Hospital's $1.5 million expansion of its radiology facility may no longer be justified based on recent patient workload data. In addition, the Pittsburgh VA Hospital spent about $350,000 to replace existing radiological equipment. However, due to conflicting information relating to replacement of the equipment at the center, it is difficult to determine whether all of the equipment had to be replaced when it was. VA needs to periodically reassess expansion plans and equipment needs of VA radiology service facilities to ensure that the investment of resources is warranted.