Have a relative in mid 70s. Has COPD from Vietnam and a host of other problems and recently tested positive for covid. Currently at the VA in med center in Houston and having some oxygen/lung issues.

Without going into way too much detail we have talked with enough medical professionals and nurses about what is being relayed from the VA clinic doctors and they have pretty much all agreed we need to get him out of this facility ASAP.

We are wanting to have him transferred to another hospital preferably Methodist but open to any suggestions. Any hospitals or suggestions on how to make this process happen the best way possible?

In order for a transfer to happen his doctor at the VA will need to call the transfer center of the receiving hospital and they will need to discuss the case with the receiving hospital and the doctor at the receiving hospital will have to agree to accept.

There is not a lot the family can do other than persistently demand for the transfer to happen.

It is not uncommon for receiving hospitals to decline a transfer if there is not a specific service the patient needs that is not provided at the current hospital. It can also be difficult to get a VA to transfer out if there is not a specific reason but that depends on the particular insurance situation.

Depending on his condition it could be theoretically possible to leave the VA hospital against medical advice and go to another hospital ER.

That VA hospital has a lot of services and capabilities compared to many.

Maybe could help give some more specific advice if you posted some particulars.

Good Luck!

Ask to speak with the case manager and see what is possible. Try to be nice. With something like this, you do catch more flies with honey.

The family member in question can leave at any time. What would complicate matters if they are on oxygen or unstable vitals. That would most likely require transfer by ambulance.

Couple of resources to consider.

https://breathemd.org/blog/2022/2/27/the-story-behind-why-im-suing-the-hospital-who-suspended-me-for-prescribing

https://drstellamd.com/telehealth-services/