FARGO (AP) - The Veterans Affairs Department says no patients scheduling initial medical appointments at Fargo's VA facility are waiting more than 90 days after their requests.
A nationwide audit found that the North Dakota location was just one of nine VA health care systems with an electronic waiting list that did not extend past 90 days. Data shows that 144 people who enrolled in the Fargo system over the past 10 years have never received an appointment.
The audit of 731 VA hospitals and large outpatient clinics found that the agency's complicated appointment process created confusion among scheduling clerks and supervisors.
The audit says a 14-day goal for seeing first-time patients was unattainable given the growing demand among veterans for health care and poor planning. The VA has since abandoned that goal.