DOJ gives Mpls veterans home high marks

The Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division has concluded that the Minneapolis Veteran's Home meets, and in some instances exceeds, constitutional and federal requirements.

In a letter to the facility, federal officials described the home as "performing admirably."

The good marks come after a recent investigation of the home, which racked up several serious health care violations over the last two years.

"We've made so many improvements over the past 18 months it's really mind boggling," Deputy Commissioner for Minnesota's Veteran's Health Care Gilbert Acevedo said. "We still have things we want to improve upon, there [are] still things we want to do. We are not there yet, so we are going to continue to work hard."

The Department of Justice toured the facility in February as part of its investigation.

Federal officials focused on the facility's general care and treatment of residents, as well as its discharge planning and community integration practices.

Officials reviewed a variety of relevant facility documents, including policies and procedures, medical records and other records relating to the care and treatment of MVH residents.

There are still a few key areas where the home needs improvement, including preventing patient falls and keeping better records on patients' weight and blood sugar levels, according to the Department of Justice.

The department will conduct a followup investigation in six months.