From: --------- [mailto:-------@comcast.

net]
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2016 2:18 PM
To: '------@OSC.gov'
Subject: ------ -----Mr -------,
I received your contact information from Sean Higgins. I have filled out 2 forms that I will be
emailing you. I am now working on Timelines and the coordinating email documentation.
Basically I worked in Spinal Cord on 1 West Unit. I believe from my first complaint I was
targeted. It became worse when the Chief of Spinal Cord Sandra Kirkland became upset
when I challenged staffing practices. She told the Unit we were at 106% but we were WAY
WAY short of that.
Then the Spinal Cord Bowel training room, where 4 patients could be done at one time, was
renovated at a huge cost. Dr Kirkland ordered that All pt bowel training be done in the
facilities between each room. One person at a time. We did not have staff to do this. We were
not able to take care of the vets With them being down 4 at a time. When this new order
began, the drains in the bathrooms were in adequate along with the ventilation system.
Gross misuse of staff and HUGE infection control issue. When I asked her about my
concerns of feces overflowing and going into other pts rooms and the concern about pat and
the bowel trainer being enclosed in a small area with adequate ventilation she responded,
"Don't you thin if there was an issue the engineers would have been up here? 30 minutes
later I spoke with Alice a nurse on 1 East who informed me that the Engineers HAD been
alerted and had come up to investigate because the leakage was affecting the places
underneath the area. In other words it was leaking through the ceiling down stairs.
I called for a meeting with the Chief, M Strohm, Barbara wade Reese RN who also wanted the
meeting and the President and Vice President of the Union. I had 4 concerns. We only got to
one. I tried to reschedule time and time again but was denied.
More pressure was put on all staff to take care of pts without adequate staff.
I have a witness to Kirkland threatening me because I told her I was going to get the Union
involved. I have documentation.
When I was harassed and threatened with Kirkland wanting a meeting with me I called the
Union, we met and after the meeting I was reprimanded by Union President who did not
represent me. and stopped my bringing issues to light.
There has been a total change in staff the last 14 months as people retired because they
could not take the stress or quit because they couldn't handle it. Another nurse had to quit in
March 2016 because of the stress and her diagnosis of PTSD.
I became sick in Oct 2014 while on Vacation. I woke up one morning and could not sleep,
could not eat and had no energy. I have been diagnosed with PTSD.I have a counselor my
husband and I have seen for over 2 decades. He documented that stress and practices at VA
caused the PTSD. I have had NO help from HR except a short few weeks when I had Joseph
Powers. He was taken away from me because his wife had been hired for my unit and they
said it was a conflict of interest. They do not return calls. And I have been verbally abused
over the phone with HR and I have been verbally abused, harassed by the new Chief of Spinal
Cord Melissa Taylor. They made do 3 different sets of FMLA papers only to be told that the
first set had been approved LONG after. My privacy rights were violated when I took the
second set out there. I was made to talkj to Kyle in HR IN the lobby of that office while we
talked about whether I needed a Psychiatrist. They have harassed me and have been no help.

There are pts I would like to be investigated:

1. BB 7343 died several days after surgery. He was found dead in his room with SCD boots to
combat clots were in a chair and never put on him. He was usually taken care of on 1 West
but was on 1 East when he died
2. JC 6109 it was said that he had cancer and that the DR was not going to tell him. His
doctor was doctor Wade who was famous for his drinking problem and his neglect of pts.
3. RLH 4922 was a pt of Dr Gade. He was at our unit for well over a year, was sent home,
went to another hospital in Murfreesboro and was told he was eat up with cancer and died
shortly after.
Swinney, I cant remember last 4. This was after I left sick. Came into the hospital for surgery
which he repeatedly said he did not want. They did surgery. I asked Barbara what staff
signed as a witness for the consent. She said I don't know. I don't think it was a nurse. He
died several days after surgery.
JS 3355, this patient is what broke me. He had a mental status change. I called on call dr. who
was Dr Samuel and reported labs and mental status. He's a good dr. he ordered fluids and
antibiotics. Neuro tests were also ordered. Swans regular doctor Dr Wade, the very next day
because he was slightly better the tests were canceled. The next day he was worse. I called a
Rapid Response the MOD who is a Wonderful man, came and when I said the neuro tests had
been canceled said he would order again. There were 2 more Rapid Responses called on Mr
Swan the next few days. He3 choked on a French Fry, went to ICU and after a long time came
back down to our Unit. After seeing him when he arrived back on the Unit I prayed to God
everyday to not let me have him as my pt because I could not handle seeing him He died as
well. He died after I left.

I struggle with my PTSD so please understand I need time to go through all of the
communications. I will do as quickly as I can. I am very, very afraid of Memphis VA. I am
afraid of everything, I'm coming forward with information because I love my Spinal Cord
patients and they need to be protected. It has been Very hard. Please help bring these things
to light. I will send a more detailed outline of the above.
Thanking you in advance,
------ -------