Tweet of dirty room brings apology from VA clinic in Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY — (KUTV) The Salt Lake City VA apologized after a local veteran said he was subjected to a filthy room at a VA clinic.

Army Veteran Christopher Wilson served two tours in Iraq and expected better treatment here in Salt Lake.

Wilson said he showed up to the VA on Foothill Drive for a podiatry appointment on April 5. After waiting 45 minutes to be seen, he walked into a room that was in complete disarray. Wilson snapped a few photos to show his wife. The pictures showed the room with debris on floor, a full garbage can, cutting tools, a soda cup on a counter and medical kits left open.

“I figured they would say, ‘oh, this room’s not clean,’ and take me somewhere else, but they kind of just blew past it, didn’t acknowledge it,” Wilson said.

Wilson posted the photos to Facebook and later his father, Stephen Wilson shared the post on Twitter.

The VA Salt Lake City responded to the photos and tweet on Saturday that it said appears it was taken in a room where casts are put on patients with diabetic ulcers.

Dr. Karen Gribbin, the VA Salt Lake City's chief of staff said she spoke with Wilson and apologized for his experience and took details from him that may help an investigation in the state of the room.

"I was taken aback by the condition of the room. Mr Wilson should not have been placed in that room in that condition," Gribbin said.

The VA said it takes safety seriously and will review its policies and procedures.