All Reports

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-04133-163

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/29/2024

The Executive Chief of Staff ensures peer reviewers identify at least one aspect of care when assigning a Level 2 or 3 to a peer review.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/29/2024

The Executive Chief of Staff ensures the Peer Review Committee recommends improvement actions to reviewed providers.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/29/2024

The Executive Chief of Staff ensures supervisors communicate the Peer Review Committee’s recommendations to providers and ensure they implement improvement actions for all Level 2 and 3 peer reviews.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/23/2024

The Executive Chief of Staff ensures service chiefs use service-specific criteria in the professional practice evaluations of licensed independent practitioners.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/7/2025

The Deputy Medical Center Director ensures the Comprehensive Environment of Care Coordinator or designee schedules and ensures staff complete and document environment of care inspections at the required frequency.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/31/2025

The Deputy Medical Center Director ensures the Comprehensive Environment of Care Coordinator or designee monitors environment of care inspection deficiencies until resolution.

No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/23/2024

The Director ensures staff follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for testing over-the-door alarms on inpatient mental health unit sleeping room doors.

No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/7/2024

The Deputy Medical Center Director ensures staff post hazard warning signs in all areas where potentially infectious materials are located.

No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/7/2024

The Deputy Medical Center Director ensures staff keep patient care areas safe and clean.

No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/24/2025

The Executive Chief of Staff ensures suicide prevention coordinators report suicide-related events to mental health leaders and quality management staff at least monthly

No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/7/2024

The Executive Chief of Staff ensures designated staff complete a Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation on the same calendar day as a positive suicide risk screen, when logistically feasible and clinically appropriate, for all ambulatory care patients.

No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/7/2024

The Executive Chief of Staff ensures clinical staff notify the suicide prevention team when patients report suicidal behaviors during the Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-01696-160

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/20/2023

The West Haven VA Medical Center Director ensures communication with patients, families, and staff throughout emergency operations according to the Veterans Health Administration’s Emergency Management Program Guidebook.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/5/2024

The West Haven VA Medical Center Director confirms that medical, nursing, and respiratory therapy staff have the equipment, education, and training to prepare for emergency oxygen procedures.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/5/2024

The West Haven VA Medical Center Director ensures completion of pre-construction risk assessments.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/20/2023

The West Haven VA Medical Center Director ensures patient safety staff participate in facility Construction Safety Committee meetings and activities.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/5/2024

The West Haven VA Medical Center Director evaluates the need for increased oversight of contracted construction companies during high-risk or potential high-risk situations such as construction around underground utilities.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/5/2024

The West Haven VA Medical Center Director ensures annual drills and training to address utility emergencies are completed.

No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/5/2024

The West Haven VA Medical Center Director confirms that joint patient safety reports are entered for adverse events and close calls and root cause analyses are chartered for high-risk events or potential high-risk events not related to falls, medications, and missing patients.

No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/5/2024

The West Haven VA Medical Center Director ensures clinical staff document each event of a patient’s care into the health record.

No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/20/2023

The West Haven VA Medical Center Director ensures that the patient’s episodes of care are reviewed to determine whether a clinical disclosure is needed in accordance with Veterans Health Administration requirements and takes action accordingly.

No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/5/2024

The West Haven VA Medical Center Director ensures that staff who are designated as a fact finder for a fact-finding investigation receive the needed training and do not have a conflict of interest.

No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/20/2023

The West Haven VA Medical Center Director determines whether administrative action should be taken with respect to the conduct and performance of the chief of respiratory care.

No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/20/2023

The Veterans Integrated Service Network Director reviews the content, accuracy, and intent of the Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation document and takes administrative action as warranted.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00059-157

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/4/2024

The Medical Center Director evaluates and determines reasons for noncompliance and ensures leaders conduct institutional disclosures for all applicable sentinel events.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/7/2023

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines reasons for noncompliance and ensures clinicians complete the Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation following a positive suicide risk screen.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
21-03544-111
|
Topics:  Community Care ● Staffing

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/13/2023

Implement consistent data entry, standardized organizational codes, and periodic reviews for HR Smart community care data.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/13/2023

Develop staffing reports that can be searched by service departments to ensure appropriate resources to meet their assigned missions.

No. 3
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Improve usability of the staffing assessment tool by implementing policy to address the inconsistencies with staffing data entry and review the reported data for accuracy.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/19/2024

Assess whether consolidated community care units would more broadly support veterans’ access to community care and help mitigate the impact of staffing shortages, and, if so, develop a project management plan for implementing those units.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/20/2024

Assess the use of monetary and nonmonetary incentives to evaluate whether they are effective in recruiting and retaining administrative staff within community care departments.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-04099-153

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/2/2025

The VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan Network Director evaluates and ensures all Veterans Integrated Service Network 10 facilities comply with Veterans Health Administration requirements regarding resident supervision, specifically related to post-graduate year one on-site direct supervision.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/25/2024

The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center Director reviews the March 2023 National Surgery Office program review as referenced in the Office of the Medical Inspector report and ensures a comprehensive and sustainable response to the recommendations noted in the National Surgery Office memorandum.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/27/2024

The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center Director and facility leaders meet all Veterans Health Administration requirements for National Practitioner Data Bank and State Licensing Board reporting for healthcare providers that meet reporting criteria.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/24/2024

The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center Director ensures the chief of surgery facilitates and provides oversight of morbidity and mortality conferences.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/27/2024

The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center Director ensures that initial level 3 peer review results of Peer Review Committee members’ cases are reassessed by another neutral VA facility Peer Review Committee for final level determination.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/27/2024

The VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan Network Director ensures the Veterans Integrated Service Network academic affiliations officer maintains awareness of and performs assigned roles and responsibilities per Veterans Health Administration requirements.

No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/23/2024

The VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan Network Director ensures the Veterans Integrated Service Network surgical workgroup reviews applicable Veterans Health Administration policies, and documents discussion and action plans to reflect facilities’ compliance with Veterans Health Administration policy and surgical complexity level.

No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/25/2024

The VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan Network Director provides continued oversight and structured support to executive and service line leaders during key leader transitions, and monitors actions taken to ensure completion of action plans.

No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/27/2024

The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center Director reviews organizational communication channels and ensures consistency with Veterans Health Administration High Reliability Organization goals and considers the use of Veterans Health Administration resources such as the Veterans Health Administration National Center for Organization Development.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-04104-112
|
Topics:  Information Technology and Security

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 3/12/2025

Implement a more effective vulnerability management program to address security deficiencies identified during the inspection.

No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Ensure vulnerabilities are remediated within established time frames.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 7/11/2023
Implement more effective configuration control processes to ensure network devices maintain vendor support.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 7/11/2023
Ensure the unmanaged database completes the transition to the VA Enterprise Cloud where it can be managed and have security baselines applied.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 11/27/2023

Implement an improved inventory process to ensure that all connected devices used to support VA programs and operations are documented in the Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 5/29/2025

Ensure network infrastructure equipment is properly installed.

No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/29/2024

Ensure physical access controls are implemented for communication rooms.

No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/24/2024

Ensure a video surveillance system is operational and monitored for the data center.

No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/11/2023
Ensure communication rooms with infrastructure equipment have adequate environmental controls.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/29/2025

Ensure communication rooms with infrastructure equipment have fire-detection and suppression systems.

No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/29/2024

Ensure water detection sensors are implemented in the data center.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-01540-146
|
Topics:  Patient Safety ● Suicide Prevention

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/5/2023

The VA St. Louis Health Care System Director conducts a fact-finding investigation asnecessary to determine whether the chief of the Emergency Department’s conduct wasinconsistent with VA policy and federal regulations and takes action as appropriate.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/5/2023

The VA St. Louis Health Care System Director establishes a standardized process for theadministration of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale by Emergency Department staff topatients to maintain the integrity of the suicide risk screen.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/5/2023

The VA St. Louis Health Care System Director establishes a formal policy outliningexpectations for the monitoring of patients by Emergency Department nursing staff after triage.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/5/2023

The VA St. Louis Health Care System Director ensures root cause analyses and administrativeinvestigations are conducted efficiently and effectively if chartered for the same event as perVeterans Health Administration policy.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/5/2023

The VA St. Louis Health Care System Director ensures that institutional disclosures arecompleted within the time frame required by the Veterans Health Administration.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/5/2023

The VA St. Louis Health Care System Director ensures compliance with the Veterans HealthAdministration requirement for reporting healthcare professionals to the appropriate statelicensing board when indicated.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00051-136
|
Topics:  Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing ● Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/11/2024

The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures leaders conduct institutional disclosures for all applicable sentinel events.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/21/2024

The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures the Protected Peer Review Committee recommends improvement actions for all Level 3 peer reviews.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/29/2023
The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures the Medical Executive Board reviews the Protected Peer Review Committee’s summary analysis quarterly.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/14/2024

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures service chiefs establish service-specific criteria for professional practice evaluations.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/29/2023
The Executive Director determines the reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff conduct environment of care inspections in patient care areas at the required frequency.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/29/2023
The Executive Director determines the reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff post signage to indicate areas that are subject to video recording.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-03503-131
|
Topics:  Financial Management

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/28/2023

Ensure that healthcare system finance office staff are made aware of all VA financial policy requirements in the review and management of inactive open obligations, and deobligate any identified excess funds.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/27/2024

Ensure cardholders comply with VA financial policy record retention requirements

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/28/2023

Establish controls to confirm approving officials and purchase cardholders review purchases for VA policy compliance and ensure contracting is used when it is in the best interest of the government.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/27/2024

Require purchase cardholders to submit a request for ratification for any unauthorized commitments identified.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/30/2024

Ensure the chief supply chain officer establishes local processes and procedures so that all necessary reports are routinely monitored on the Supply Chain Common Operating Picture, the Generic Inventory Package, or other inventory sites or software systems to ensure performance measures are maintained, as required in the Veterans Health Administration’s Directive 1761, Supply Chain Management Operations.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/27/2024

Ensure supply chain managers implement a plan for staff training to increase awareness of internal controls and data reliability issues, such as conversion factor, within the Generic Inventory Package.

No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/27/2024

Ensure the chief of supply chain services provides quarterly physical inventory memoranda of “A” classified items to Veterans Integrated Service Network personnel, as required in the Veterans Health Administration’s Directive 1761, Supply Chain Management Operations.

No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/28/2023

Ensure the chief supply chain officer reviews the facility item master file edit access list of all individuals at the VA medical facility who have permissions to enter or modify data within the item master file each calendar year, as required in the Veterans Health Administration’s Directive 1761, Supply Chain Management Operations.

No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/27/2024

Develop formalized processes for monitoring and achieving identified efficiency targets and use available pharmacy data to make business decisions.

No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/28/2023

Establish measures to improve compliance with the VA directive to avoid end-of-year pharmaceutical purchases.

No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/30/2024

Develop a plan to align inventory management practices, such as the use of handheld scanners, bar code labeling, and ABC inventory analysis methodology with VHA policy.

No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/28/2023

Establish processes to ensure compliance with the Veterans Health Administration directive to complete the B09 reconciliation process.

Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 16,044,457.00
Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00062-139
|
Topics:  Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing ● Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/29/2024

The Director evaluates and determines additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures leaders evaluate sentinel events and conduct institutional disclosures when criteria are met.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/29/2024

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures practitioners with similar training and privileges complete Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations of licensed independent practitioners.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/14/2023

The Associate Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures electrical receptacles and switches in the mental health unit are covered by metal plates, secured by tamper-resistant screws, and receptacles are flush to the wall.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-02725-132
|
Topics:  Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/14/2023

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director reviews processes in place to ensure proper response to future medical emergencies in outpatient clinics to include staff training, emergency notification systems, and emergency documentation processes.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/30/2024

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director reviews the process for and compliance with documentation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in outpatient clinic settings, and takes action as indicated.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/4/2024

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director works with outpatient clinic leaders to ensure that all deficiencies identified in the after-action plan are completed and that compliance is monitored.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/14/2023

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director consults with Office of General Counsel’s Regional Counsel to review the incident and determine if an institutional disclosure is warranted and takes action accordingly.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/30/2024

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director completes an evaluation of staffs’ understanding of advance care planning, advance directives, and life-sustaining treatment decision processes, and takes action to address identified gaps.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00044-142

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/26/2024

The Chief Medical Officer determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and reviews the credentials file and makes a recommendation on continuing the appointment process for physicians with a potentially disqualifying licensure action.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
21-02110-138
|
Topics:  Mental Health

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/20/2025

The Under Secretary for Health directs the Office of Primary Care and Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to identify barriers to provider documentation of opioid use disorder in progress notes and implement solutions addressing these barriers.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/5/2025

The Under Secretary for Health ensures the Office of Primary Care and Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention determine impediments to maintaining accurate identification of opioid use disorder in electronic health record problem lists and implement policy and training to support accurate use of problem lists.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/5/2025

The Under Secretary for Health confirms the Office of Primary Care and Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention evaluate barriers affecting provider access and use of Department of Defense treatment records in Joint Longitudinal Viewer and implement solutions.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/5/2025

The Under Secretary for Health ensures the Office of Primary Care and Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention improve continuity of care by confirming providers are educated on the navigation and retrieval of Department of Defense treatment records in Joint Longitudinal Viewer.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/20/2025

The Under Secretary for Health requires the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services/Chief Medical Officer to evaluate and update processes for identification of veterans with a history of opioid use disorder for the provision of opioid overdose risk mitigation strategies.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00488-81
|
Topics:  Claims and Appeals ● Appointment Scheduling and Wait Times

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 1/28/2025

Update the reporting methodology used in public reports to reflect the total time veterans wait for a final claims decision when their higher level reviews require a supplemental claim be established and completed due to an error.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 1/28/2025

Revise and clearly state the measures used for calculating and reporting the average duration, from the filing of an initial claim until the claim is resolved and claimants no longer take any action under the Appeals Modernization Act claim, and ensure consistency with subsection M of the act.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-02989-103
|
Topics:  Financial Management

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/9/2023

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director to ensure that healthcare system finance office staff and initiating services are aware of policy requirements to conduct reviews on all inactive open obligations and deobligate any identified excess funds as required by VA Financial Policy, vol. 2, chap. 5, “Obligations Policy.”

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/15/2024

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director to ensure that healthcare system finance office staff and initiating services that healthcare system staff are conducting finance quality assurance reviews of obligations that were inactive for more than 90 days, as required by Veterans Health Administration Directive 1733, “VHA Finance Quality Assurance Reviews.”

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/30/2024

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director to ensure cardholders comply with record retention, prior approval, and purchase card reconciliation requirements as required by VA Financial Policy, vol. 16, chap. 1B, “Government Purchase Card for Micro-Purchases.”

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/30/2024

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director to ensure cardholders verify that vendors have removed all state and local sales taxes from orders, if applicable.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/30/2024

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director to ensure authorizing officials implement internal controls over government purchase card activities to ensure compliance with the Government Purchase Card Program.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/20/2024

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director to establish internal controls to help ensure the healthcare system monitors the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor formulary for updates, converts supplies to the prime vendor in the item master file, identifies the prime vendor as the mandatory source for these items in the Generic Inventory Package, and properly sets up Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor supply items in VA’s ordering system.

No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/30/2024

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director to develop a plan to improve collaboration with the prime vendor and its on-site representative to ensure adequate stock is available to meet orders, reduce the need for the healthcare system to use nonprime vendors, and communicate the healthcare system’s usage and in-stock timing needs.

No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/1/2024

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director to ensure a qualified Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor contracting officer’s representative is appointed and performs the required delegated duties.

No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/15/2024

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director to establish internal controls to help ensure the healthcare system submits national contract waivers and justifications prior to purchasing available formulary items from nonprime vendor sources.

No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/9/2023

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director to ensure that prime vendor contract performance issues are routinely reported to the Medical Supplies Program Office and Strategic Acquisition Center using established Veterans Health Administration reporting tools.

No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/9/2023

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director to develop formalized processes for monitoring and achieving identified efficiency targets and use available pharmacy data to make business decisions.

No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/16/2024

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director to develop and implement a plan to achieve an inventory turnover rate closer to the Veterans Health Administration’s recommended level.

No. 13
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/9/2023

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director to develop and implement a plan to report the results of facility-based inventory audits of noncontrolled drug line items, and any follow-up actions taken, as required by Veterans Health Administration policy.

No. 14
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/16/2024

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System director establish processes to ensure compliance with the Veterans Health Administration directive which requires that B09 reconciliations are signed by the lead pharmacy technician and include appropriate supporting documentation.

Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 44,170,312.00
Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-03483-133
|
Topics:  Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/1/2024

The West Texas VA Health Care System Director ensures that community living center nursing staff are trained on their roles, responsibilities, and necessary actions when responding to a medical emergency.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/1/2024

The West Texas VA Health Care System Director certifies that mock codes are completed within the community living center at regular intervals and include all community living center nursing staff.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/20/2023

The West Texas VA Health Care System Director ensures that documentation requirements are met by community living center clinical staff and monitors compliance.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-02961-71
|
Topics:  Information Technology and Security

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Information and Technology (OIT)
The assistant secretary for information and technology and chief information officer implement a more effective vulnerability management program to identify all critical security deficiencies on the network and to remediate vulnerabilities within policy timelines.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 6/8/2023
The assistant secretary for information and technology and chief information officer implement a more effective inventory process to identify network devices.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 11/28/2023

The assistant secretary for information and technology and chief information officer implement processes to prevent the use of prohibited software on agency devices.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 10/11/2023
The assistant secretary for information and technology and chief information officer test the emergency power bypass during annual uninterruptible power supply testing and document results.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 1/15/2025

The assistant secretary for information and technology and chief information officer ensure network segmentation controls are applied to all network segments with medical devices and special-purpose systems.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 6/8/2023
The assistant secretary for information and technology and chief information officer ensure access authorization memorandums are present in all communication rooms.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 6/8/2023
The assistant secretary for information and technology and chief information officer ensure that physical access for the data center and communication rooms are reviewed on a quarterly basis.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 6/8/2023
The assistant secretary for information and technology and chief information officer ensure visitor access records are available and reviewed on a quarterly basis.
No. 9
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The St. Cloud VA Medical Center director ensure video surveillance systems are operational and monitored for the data center.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/29/2024

The St. Cloud VA Medical Center director ensure communication rooms with infrastructure equipment have adequate environmental controls.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00228-127
|
Topics:  Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing ● Suicide Prevention

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/7/2023

The Chief Medical Officer evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures the Medical Executive Board recommends continuation of privileges based, in part, on Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation results.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/2/2024

The Chief Medical Officer evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures providers complete Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluations on the same day as patients’ positive suicide risk screens.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00046-126
|
Topics:  Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing ● Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/26/2025

The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures the Executive Leadership Board recommends, implements, and monitors improvement actions.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/7/2023
The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures the Protected Peer Review Committee recommends improvement actions for Level 3 peer reviews.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/17/2024

The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff either conduct an individual root cause analysis for all events receiving an actual or potential safety assessment code score of three or include the events in an aggregated review.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/2/2024

The Chief of Staff determines the reasons for noncompliance and ensures providers with similar training and privileges complete licensed independent practitioners’ Focused Professional Practice Evaluations.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/2/2024

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures service chiefs recommend licensed independent practitioners’ continued privileges based on Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation activities.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/7/2023
The Assistant Director determines the additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff maintain, inspect, and test biomedical equipment according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/18/2025

The Associate Director and Associate Director, Patient Care Services evaluate and determine any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensure staff remove supplies from shipping cartons and corrugated boxes prior to putting them in clean storage areas.