Recommendations
2103
| ID | Report Number | Report Title | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-04435-265 | Healthcare Inspection – Mental Health Service Concerns at the Knoxville VA Outpatient Clinic, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee | Hotline Healthcare Inspection | ||
1 We recommended that the Facility Director improve processes for communicating with community-based consumer-run groups that provide mental health services to veterans enrolled at the Knoxville VA Outpatient Clinic.
Closure Date:
2 We recommended that the Facility Director ensure that the Clinic’s Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist provides comprehensive services including outreach for veterans in the Knox and surrounding counties in accordance with Veterans Health Administration policy.
Closure Date:
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| 16-01489-311 | Combined Assessment Program Summary Report – Evaluation of Coordination of Inpatient Consults in Veterans Health Administration Facilities | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
1 We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure that facility clinicians consistently include ‘inpatient’ in the inpatient consult title and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
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| 16-00111-310 | Combined Assessment Program Review of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
1 We recommended that facility clinical managers consistently review Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation data every 6 months and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
2 We recommended that the Patient Safety Manager consistently enter all reported patient incidents into the WEBSPOT database and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
3 We recommended that Environment of Care Board meeting minutes include corrective actions taken to address rounds deficiencies.
Closure Date:
4 We recommended that facility managers ensure all health care occupancy buildings have at least one fire drill per shift per quarter and monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
5 We recommended that the facility repair damaged furniture in patient care areas or remove it from service.
Closure Date:
6 We recommended that facility managers ensure medical waste/biohazard containers are properly covered and monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
7 We recommended that employees promptly remove expired medications from patient care areas and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
8 We recommended that employees date multi-dose medication vials when opened and that facility managers monitor compliance.
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9 We recommended that facility managers ensure all sharps containers are closed and monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
10 We recommended that dental clinic managers ensure all dental clinic employees complete hazard communication training on chemical classification, labeling, and safety data sheets and monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
11 We recommended that facility managers ensure consistent monitoring of operating room temperature, humidity, and positive pressure.
Closure Date:
12 We recommended that facility managers ensure all operating room exits are unobstructed and monitor compliance.
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13 We recommended that the facility revise the competency assessment policy for employees who prepare compounded sterile products to include the required intervals for gloved fingertip sampling.
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14 We recommended that the facility revise the compounded sterile products safety/competency assessment checklist to include donning of personal protective equipment in the required order and the performance of appropriate hand hygiene after personal protective equipment removal.
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15 We recommended that the facility revise its policy for patient discharge to include scheduling discharges early in the day.
Closure Date:
16 We recommended that the facility revise its temporary bed locations policy to include priority placement for inpatient beds given to patients in temporary bed locations.
Closure Date:
17 We recommended that physicians document transfer notes and that facility managers monitor compliance.
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18 We recommended that receiving physicians document transfers and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
19 We recommended that a medical physicist complete and document inspections of computed tomography scanners following repair or modifications affecting dose or image quality and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
20 We recommended that employees consistently correctly post patients’ advance directives status and that facility managers monitor compliance.
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21 We recommended that employees ask inpatients whether they would like to discuss creating, changing, and/or revoking advance directives and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
22 We recommended that employees hold advance directive discussions requested by inpatients and document the discussions and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
23 We recommended that the facility ensure new clinical employees complete suicide risk management training within the required timeframe and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
24 We recommended that clinicians include assessment of available lethal means and how to keep the environment safe in Suicide Prevention Safety Plans and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
25 We recommended that clinicians ensure patients and/or caregivers receive a copy of the Suicide Prevention Safety Plan and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
26 We recommended that facility managers ensure the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program is clean and monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
27 We recommended that the facility repair or replace identified items in the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program.
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28 We recommended that the facility correct the deficiencies identified in the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program and that documentation reflects correction.
Closure Date:
29 We recommended that facility managers ensure the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program has closed circuit television monitors with recording capability in public areas and does not have monitors installed in treatment areas.
Closure Date:
30 We recommended that facility managers ensure exit signs on Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program resident floors are visible.
Closure Date:
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| 15-02747-314 | Administrative Investigation - Alleged Prohibited Personnel Practice, Board of Veterans Appeals, Washington, DC | Administrative Investigation | ||
1 We recommend that the VA Deputy Secretary confer with the Offices of General Counsel and Human Resources Management to develop VA policy related to the staffing and recruitment of VLJs, incorporate it into proper guidance and a requirement to sign a confidentiality agreement, provide applicability of the Privacy Act, a clear definition of what is confidential, and ensure that policy is implemented.
Closure Date:
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| 15-04252-284 | Review of VA’s Compliance With the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act for FY 2015 | Audit | ||
1 We recommended the Under Secretary for Health ensure implementation of the corrective action plans included in VA’s Agency Financial Report to make procurement practices for the VA Community Care and Purchased Long Term Services and Support programs compliant with laws and regulations.
Closure Date:
2 We recommended the Under Secretary for Health implement steps to achieve reduction targets or appropriately adjust them for the VA Community Care, Purchased Long Term Services and Support, Beneficiary Travel, and Supplies and Materials programs.
Closure Date:
3 We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Benefits implement steps to achieve reduction targets or appropriately adjust them for the Compensation, Education Chapter 1606, and Education Chapter 1607 programs.
Closure Date:
4 We recommended the Principal Executive Director, Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, implement steps to achieve reduction targets for the Disaster Relief Act-Hurricane Sandy program.
Closure Date:
5 We recommended the Under Secretary for Health implement additional training for personnel who evaluate Improper Payment Elimination and Recovery Act samples for the Supplies and Materials program.
Closure Date:
6 We recommended the Under Secretary for Health provide contracting expertise to the Improper Payment Elimination and Recovery Act review team, as needed.
Closure Date:
7 We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Benefits develop a solution for correcting the concurrent payment of Compensation and Pension benefits and military drill pay and seek Office of Management and Budget assistance in coordinating a future resolution of the matter.
Closure Date:
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| 15-04704-297 | Combined Assessment Program Review of the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System, Prescott, Arizona | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
1 We recommended that facility clinical managers review Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation data semi-annually and that facility managers monitor compliance.
2 We recommended that facility managers ensure patient care areas and furnishings and equipment in patient care areas are clean and monitor compliance.
3 We recommended that facility managers initiate actions to repair damaged furnishings and equipment in patient care areas or remove them from service.
4 We recommended that the facility consistently monitor temperature in the inpatient pharmacy compounding buffer areas and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
5 We recommended that facility managers ensure employees perform and document monthly cleaning of storage shelving in all compounding areas and monitor compliance.
6 We recommended that facility managers ensure all hoods are certified at least every 6 months and monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
7 We recommended that facility managers develop a temporary bed location policy.
8 We recommended that the Facility Director appoint a Bed Flow Coordinator with a clinical background.
9 We recommended that physicians consistently document discharge progress notes or instructions that include all required elements and that facility managers monitor compliance.
10 We recommended that the facility develop a computed tomography policy and procedures that include all required components.
11 We recommended that the Radiation Safety Officer ensure all computed tomography technologists have documented annual radiation safety training.
12 We recommended that employees consistently correctly post patients’ advance directives status and that facility managers monitor compliance.
13 We recommended that employees ask inpatients whether they would like to discuss creating, changing, and/or revoking advance directives and that facility managers monitor compliance.
14 We recommended that facility managers ensure new clinical employees complete suicide risk management training within the required timeframe and monitor compliance.
15 We recommended that the Suicide Prevention Coordinator provide at least five community outreach activities every month and maintain documentation of these activities and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
16 We recommended that clinicians consistently assess patients for suicide risk prior to placing a high risk for suicide flag and that facility managers monitor compliance.
17 We recommended that clinicians not place flags in the electronic health records of moderate- and low-risk patients and that facility managers monitor compliance.
18 We recommended that clinicians include the contact numbers of family or friends for support in Suicide Prevention Safety Plans and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
19 We recommended that clinicians ensure patients and/or caregivers receive a copy of the Suicide Prevention Safety Plan and that facility managers monitor compliance.
20 We recommended that treatment teams review patients’ high-risk flags at least every 90 days and that facility managers monitor compliance.
21 We recommended that facility managers establish a mammography services policy.
22 We recommended that clinicians link mammogram results to the radiology order in the electronic health record and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
23 We recommended that facility managers ensure ordering clinicians receive signed written mammography reports within 30 days of the procedure date and monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
24 We recommended that Controlled Substances Coordinator provide the Facility Director with controlled substances inspection quarterly trend reports.
25 We recommended that acute care employees provide pressure ulcer education to patients at risk for or with pressure ulcers and/or their caregivers and document the education and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
26 We recommended that nursing managers monitor the staffing methodology implemented in August 2013.
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| 16-00025-301 | Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, Dublin, Georgia | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
1 We recommended that managers ensure that Milledgeville VA Clinic staff participate in emergency management training and exercises.
Closure Date:
2 We recommended that the clinic manager ensures that Milledgeville VA Clinic and contracted employees receive the required hazardous communications training.
Closure Date:
3 We recommended that the Milledgeville VA Clinic manager ensures that there are no expired injectable medication vials.
Closure Date:
4 We recommended that the Facility Director ensures that the facility's written policy for the communication of laboratory results includes all required elements.
Closure Date:
5 We recommended that clinicians consistently notify patients of their laboratory results within 14 days as required by VHA.
Closure Date:
6 We recommended that acceptable providers perform and document suicide risk assessments for all patients with positive PTSD screens.
Closure Date:
7 We recommended that further diagnostic evaluations are offered to patients with positive PTSD screens.
Closure Date:
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| 16-00024-299 | Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
1 We recommended that providers sign Home Telehealth assessments and treatment plans.
Closure Date:
2 We recommended that clinicians consistently notify patients of their laboratory results within the timeframe set by local policy.
Closure Date:
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| 16-00101-300 | Combined Assessment Program Review of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
1 We recommended that the senior-level committee responsible for key quality, safety, and value functions be chaired or co-chaired by the Facility Director.
Closure Date:
2 We recommended that facility clinical managers consistently review Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation data semi-annually and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
3 We recommended that Physician Utilization Management Advisors document their decisions in the National Utilization Management Integration database and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
4 We recommended that facility managers consistently follow actions taken when data analyses indicated problems or opportunities for improvement to resolution in the Inpatient Operations Council, Medical Executive Committee, and Medical Records Committee.
Closure Date:
5 We recommended that senior managers become involved in quality, safety, and value activities.
Closure Date:
6 We recommended that employees promptly remove expired medications from patient care areas and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
7 We recommended that employees secure medication carts and automated dispensing machines when not in use and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
8 We recommended that facility managers ensure pharmacy technicians complete all competency components annually and monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
9 We recommended that employees monitor temperature in the compounding areas at the Sepulveda pharmacy and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
10 We recommended that a medical physicist inspect computed tomography scanners that had repairs or modifications that affected dose or image quality before return to clinical service and document the inspection and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
11 We recommended that employees monitor temperature in the compounding areas at the Sepulveda pharmacy and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
12 We recommended that facility managers ensure new non-clinical employees receive suicide prevention training and new clinical employees receive suicide risk management training and monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
13 We recommended that employees complete the required reports and reviews regarding patients who attempt or complete suicide and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
14 We recommended that clinicians consistently place flags in the electronic health records of high-risk patients and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
15 We recommended that clinicians include contact numbers of family or friends for support and assessment of available lethal means and how to keep the environment safe in Suicide Prevention Safety Plans and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
16 We recommended that clinicians ensure patients and/or caregivers receive a copy of the Suicide Prevention Safety Plan and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
17 We recommended that treatment teams follow up with patients at least four times during the first 30 days after discharge and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
18 We recommended that the Medical Records Committee provide oversight and coordination of the review of the quality of entries in electronic health records.
Closure Date:
19 We recommended that representatives from Surgery Service consistently attend Blood Usage Committee meetings.
Closure Date:
20 We recommended that facility managers ensure all designated employees complete annual N95 respirator fit testing and monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
21 We recommended that facility managers initiate actions to address identified security deficiencies and ensure correction of all deficiencies identified during annual physical security surveys.
Closure Date:
22 We recommended that facility managers ensure all patients discharged with pressure ulcers receive dressing supplies prior to being discharged and monitor compliance.
Closure Date:
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| 16-00010-302 | Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
1 We recommended that employees at the Gardena VA Clinic receive annual training on the Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens.
Closure Date:
2 We recommended that managers ensure that staff at the Gardena VA Clinic participate in emergency management training and exercises.
Closure Date:
3 We recommended that the clinic manager ensures that Gardena VA Clinic employees receive the required hazardous communications training.
Closure Date:
4 We recommended that the clinic manager review the Gardena VA Clinic’s hazardous materials inventory twice within a 12-month period.
Closure Date:
5 We recommended that clinicians document monthly monitoring notes for each month of Home Telehealth program participation.
Closure Date:
6 We recommended that the Facility Director ensures that the facility’s written policy for the communication of laboratory results includes all required elements.
Closure Date:
7 We recommended that clinicians consistently notify patients of their laboratory results within 14 days as required by VHA.
Closure Date:
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15168