EVS sent an article today about the Puget Sound Veterans Administration quickly cleaning up two mental health wards that not only failed inspection, but noted that the patients were in danger. I can only imagine how difficult it is for residents of these facilities. From the Seattle Times:

Within 24 hours of the inspection, said Dr. Robert Barnes, associate director of mental-health services for the Seattle division, the hospital had started tearing out grab bars, removing side rails on beds and unbolting pictures from the walls.

Barnes said these actions upset many patients, who rely on such homey touches as bulletin boards with notes and pictures above their beds.

The issue is one of suicide prevention. Inspectors who saw similar conditions three years ago didn't cite the hospital similarly. But I imagine that increasing reports of veteran suicides have made changes in the hospital environment more urgent.

Of course, the real solution would to stop sending people to fight in pointless wars. But whatev.

VA mental wards getting fast redo after flunking inspection