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(Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell) In the spotlight White City veterans' facility faces problems brought to the nation's attention by a self-reported maintenance report, media accounts By Paul Fattig Mail Tribune WHITE CITY — Leaky roofs and bat problems are cited in an internal review by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of the Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center & Clinics (SORCC), whose buildings date back to World War II. The nationwide review of the agency's 1,400 health clinics and hospitals was ordered two weeks ago by VA Secretary Jim Nicholson following the disclosure of poor conditions in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a military hospital operated by the Defense Department in Washington, D.C. A copy of the 94-page report obtained by The Associated Press revealed that 90 percent of the 1,100 problems cited nationwide were largely routine including worn-out carpet, peeling paint, mice sightings and dead bugs. The other 10 percent, including eight cases that required immediate attention, were considered serious and included mold spreading in patient care areas, according to the review. The problems cited at the SORCC were those noted in its own self-reported maintenance program report sent to the national headquarters, explained facility director Max McIntosh, who wondered if the facility was being singled out by the media for simply being upfront. No investigative team came out to the facility which received a national VA award late last year for providing excellent patient care, he noted. Advertisement "The secretary wanted a comprehensive inventory to know if there were any substantial problems," McIntosh said. "He asked all the VA facilities to do that and be forthcoming. We did that. They read our report. We really don't have any significant problems. "We have a highly safe environment for our veterans," he added. "We have a very competent staff and we pay a lot of attention to detail." The national internal review said the SORCC staff was required to "continuously repair the leaks upon occurrence, clean up any mold presence if any exists, spray or remove ceiling tiles." What's more, large colonies of Mexican Wing-tailed bats lived on the outside of one building and sometimes flew into the attics and interior parts of the building, it added. "Eradication has been discussed but the uniqueness of the situation (the number of colonies) makes it challenging to accomplish," the report stated, adding the bats were being tested for diseases. "Also, the bats keep the insect pollution to a minimum, which is beneficial," it noted. That information was all contained in the five-year maintenance plan in which facility engineer Stacey Webster-Wharton included as part of SORCC's submission to the VA, said facility spokeswoman Anna Diehl. The engineer emphasized areas that needed more attention, she added. "We wanted to be honest and forthright," Webster-Wharton said. The bats are closely monitored by an individual who has a pest control license, Diehl said. "The Mexican Wing-tailed bat is a migratory bat but this colony has decided to take up home here," she said. "It does inhabit a couple of areas here. The good thing is the mosquito population is very low, something we attribute to the bats." Any bats who get inside a building are quickly relocated, she added. "But this is a rural setting," she said. "It's not uncommon to see animals like coyotes and raccoons out here." "We don't have any serious problems here," McIntosh reiterated. "There is nothing in there (the internal review) which affects us in our day-to-day operation." Established in 1942, the facility serves roughly 470 inpatients and nearly 13,000 outpatients in Southern Oregon and Northern California. It has about 575 employees. In November, the SORCC received the 2006 Robert W. Carey Performance Excellence Award for long-term health care. Nicholson presented the award to SORCC staff at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. It marked the second time the facility has received the award since 1994. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or at [email protected] Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary