All Reports

Date Issued
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Report Number
21-03063-04
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Topics:  Claims and Fiduciary

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 5/10/2023
Update the process for developing, approving, and issuing guidance for accommodating veterans with visual impairments to include steps for consulting with the Office of General Counsel; Office of Resolution Management, Diversity and Inclusion; and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel; Office of Resolution Management, Diversity and Inclusion; and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division to bring the existing Veterans Benefits Administration’s Adjudication Procedures Manual for accommodating veterans with visual impairments into compliance with38 C.F.R. § 14.500, VA Directive 5975, and Executive Order 12250.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 5/10/2023
Develop and implement a quality assurance mechanism to ensure compliance with accessibility requirements, including mandated telephone calls to veterans with visual impairments.
No. 4
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Assign accessibility coordinators, publicize their names, and conduct a self-evaluation of policies as outlined in VA accessibility requirements.
No. 5
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Coordinate a process to ensure veterans with visual impairments are informed of the availability of accommodations, regardless of their level of disability.
Date Issued
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Report Number
21-03309-23
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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: 8/2/2023
The Medical Center Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures governing committees report to the Executive Leadership Council.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/6/2022
The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures peer reviewers consistently use at least one of the nine aspects of care when conducting peer reviews.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/6/2022
The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures clinical managers implement improvement actions recommended by the Peer Review Committee.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/26/2023
The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and makes certain that service chiefs complete Focused Professional Practice Evaluations within clearly defined time frames.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/25/2023
The Associate Director for Operations evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and makes certain that managers maintain a safe and clean environment.
Date Issued
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Report Number
21-00175-19
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Topics:  Suicide Prevention
Related Media: Video

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/19/2025

The Under Secretary for Health ensures compliance with suicide risk and lethal means safety training requirements.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/11/2024

The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the efficacy of the May 2022 Veterans Integrated Service Network and Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention oversight structure for suicide risk training and considers inclusion of an oversight structure for lethal means safety training compliance.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/2/2024

The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the adequacy of the one-time lethal means safety training requirement and takes action as appropriate.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/11/2024

The Under Secretary for Health ensures clinician completion of comprehensive suicide risk evaluations including the discussion and documentation of firearms access and safe storage as required, and monitors compliance.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/19/2023
The Under Secretary for Health ensures clinician completion of safety plans including the discussion and documentation of firearms access and safe storage, as applicable, and monitors compliance.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/11/2024

The Under Secretary for Health evaluates staff’s perceived barriers to completion of the suicide risk identification strategy and takes action as appropriate.

No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/19/2023
The Under Secretary for Health considers initiatives to evaluate and address educational and cultural barriers to conducting and documenting patient discussions related to firearms access and safe storage practices.
Date Issued
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Report Number
21-03777-218
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Topics:  Appointment Scheduling and Wait Times ● COVID-19

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/11/2024

Monitor facility follow-up rates by type of care and on a month-over-month basis, establish monitoring metrics, and assist facilities if they fall below these metrics.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/8/2023

Evaluate and update, as appropriate, whether activities that occurred before cancellation and notations of “No Action Other Reason” should be tracked as follow-up.

Date Issued
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Report Number
21-01821-08
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Topics:  Community Care

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/21/2023
The VISN 15 Network Director ensures that an end-stage renal disease provider sees patients enrolled in the home dialysis program at least monthly, as evidenced by a progress note placed in the medical record and endorsed by the responsible independent renal practitioner.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/21/2023
The VISN 15 Network Director makes certain that staff ensure home visits are performed prior to accepting patients into the home dialysis program, and at least annually thereafter.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/22/2023
The VISN 15 Network Director ensures VISN leaders and clinicians monitor the quality of contracted clinical services for patients receiving non-VA home dialysis services.
Date Issued
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Report Number
22-01440-254
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Topics:  Staffing

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Human Resources and Administration Office (HRA),Operations, Security, and Preparedness (OSP)
Closure Date: 4/20/2023
Consider seeking legislative relief from Congress regarding the language related to reporting potential hires under the element of section 3008(a)(E)(iii) of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Human Resources and Administration Office (HRA),Operations, Security, and Preparedness (OSP)
Closure Date: 12/21/2023

Absent such relief, provide information detailing the limitations that prevent VA from reporting the average number of days that potential title 38 or hybrid title 38 hires spent in each phase of the hiring model in accordance with section 3008(a)(E)(iii) of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020.

Date Issued
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Report Number
21-03924-234

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/27/2025

Assign specific roles and responsibilities to the Office of Integrated Veteran Care to ensure effective oversight of the Referral Coordination Initiative.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/22/2024

Make certain that staff with Referral Coordination Initiative responsibilities are sufficiently trained on how to triage, communicate key information on options to veterans, schedule, or document consults, according to their respective duties.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/22/2024

Direct relevant VA medical facilities to establish local processes by which VA medical facility staff identify and share available community care wait time data with referral coordination team members within each facility, and then establish controls to help ensure that this information is consistently communicated to patients.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/7/2023

Establish a mechanism or update the Referral Coordination Initiative checklist to effectively track and monitor each facility’s challenges with implementation and progress toward implementing the initiative for all relevant specialty services.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/27/2022
Develop and then disseminate to all relevant VA medical facilities best practices and lessons learned for implementing the Referral Coordination Initiative.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/22/2023
Make sure that VA medical facility staff are completely and accurately tracking andmonitoring consults processed through the Referral Coordination Initiative using theConsult Toolbox 2.0 or the most current system and version.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/13/2023
Develop measures and processes to assess whether facility staff are meeting the Referral Coordination Initiative’s intent of reducing scheduling times, providing veterans with key information, and minimizing facility providers’ administrative burden of managing consults.
Date Issued
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Report Number
22-00818-03
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Topics:  Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/25/2023
The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, ensures that facility peer review committees recommend improvement actions for Level 3 peer reviews.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/4/2025

The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, makes certain that facility surgical work groups meet monthly and core members consistently attend meetings.

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

The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, ensures that facility surgical work groups consistently review surgical deaths.

Date Issued
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Report Number
22-00811-07

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

The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, makes certain that chiefs of staff and associate directors for patient care services ensure all required members attend disruptive behavior committee or board meetings.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/8/2023
The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, makes certain that chiefs of staff ensure disruptive behavior committees or boards document patient notification of Orders of Behavioral Restriction in the Disruptive Behavior Reporting System.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/12/2025

The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, makes certain that medical center directors ensure staff complete all required prevention and management of disruptive behavior training based on the risk level assigned to their work area.

Date Issued
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Report Number
22-00813-253
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Topics:  Suicide Prevention

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/20/2022
The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, ensures that staff complete mandatory suicide safety plan training prior to developing suicide safety plans.
Date Issued
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Report Number
21-00797-248
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Topics:  Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/19/2024

The Under Secretary for Health ensures that Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program protocols are developed at all medical centers consistent with the national requirement.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/22/2024

The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the sufficiency of current guidance and operational status regarding Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program coordinators’ dedicated time and population needs, and takes action as warranted.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/22/2024

The Under Secretary for Health determines the appropriate guidance for dedicated administrative staff support in consideration of the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program coordinators’ responsibilities, and takes action as warranted.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/19/2024

The Under Secretary for Health considers the establishment of standardized Intimate Partner Violence staff training content and format as well as the evaluation of training efficacy, and takes action as warranted.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/22/2024

The Under Secretary for Health develops intimate partner violence screening requirements based on the current guidance and patient population needs, and takes action as warranted.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/22/2024

The Under Secretary for Health expedites standardized program evaluation processes with oversight and reporting responsibilities to ensure identification of implementation and program deficiencies and monitoring of corrective action and performance improvement plans.

No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/22/2024

The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the current guidance and operational status related to the roles and oversight functions of the Veterans Integrated Service Network Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program champions and lead coordinators and clarifies expectations and requirements.

Date Issued
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Report Number
21-02641-229
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Topics:  Leases and Major Contracts

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Acquisitions, Logistics, and Construction (OALC)
Closure Date: 8/15/2024

Assess compliance weaknesses identified by VA Office of Procurement Policy, Systems and Oversight internal reviews, and implement corrective actions determined appropriate.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Acquisitions, Logistics, and Construction (OALC)
Closure Date: 5/23/2024

Require contracting officers responsible for Buy American Act compliance deficiencies identified by contract file reviewers and VA Office of Procurement Policy, Systems and Oversight internal reviews to attend refresher Buy American Act–specific training.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/21/2023
Evaluate the contract file review procedures to make certain they require the use of the Definitions of Comment Categories, and presolicitation and preaward checklists, and document that use, to strengthen compliance.
Date Issued
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Report Number
22-00973-215
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Topics:  Information Technology and Security

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 5/3/2023
Implement a more effective process to maintain consistent inventory information for all network segments.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 5/3/2023
Implement a vulnerability management program that ensures system changes occur within organization timelines.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 1/23/2023
Implement effective system life-cycle processes to ensure network devices meet standards mandated by the VA Office of Information and Technology Configuration Control Board.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 9/27/2022
Develop and implement a process to retain database logs for a period consistent with VA’s record retention policy.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 7/22/2024

Validate that appropriate physical and environmental security measures are implemented and functioning as intended.

Date Issued
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Report Number
21-03203-239
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Topics:  Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/28/2024

The Southeast Network Director facilitates a comprehensive review of Patient A’s episode of care, from the time and date of the patient’s hospitalization through the date and time of the patient’s death, to identify practitioner and process improvements that may reduce the potential for future incidents, and takes appropriate actions.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/7/2023
The Columbia VA Health Care System Director ensures providers carefully consider facility resources when evaluating medically-complex patients for admission and when determining whether admitted patients’ medical complexities exceed the facility’s capabilities to meet patients’ needs.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/9/2023
The Columbia VA Health Care System Director ensures that the peer review committee record the committee members formal discussions specific to the peer review in meeting minutes, and monitors ongoing compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/7/2023
The Columbia VA Health Care System Director evaluates quality management practices that impede the timeliness of institutional disclosures, ensures current practices are in alignment with Veterans Health Administration policy, and takes action as warranted.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/28/2023
The Columbia VA Health Care System Director ensures that root cause analyses are completed within the required 45-day time frame to promptly identify and address system vulnerabilities.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/2/2023
The Columbia VA Health Care System Director facilitates a comprehensive administrative review of the vascular surgeon’s disregard of surgical and invasive procedure protocols and Stop the Line principles, consults with the Office of Regional Counsel and human resource specialists, and takes administrative actions, as appropriate.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/7/2023
The Columbia VA Health Care System Director evaluates facility staff’s informed consent and time-out practices, to include the review of pertinent medical images, and ensures practices are consistent with correct surgery and invasive procedure requirements, takes action as appropriate, and monitors compliance.