All Reports

Deficient Staffing and Competencies in Sterile Processing Services at the VA Black Hills Healthcare System, Fort Meade Campus, South Dakota
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19-07096-108
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Topics:  Patient Safety ● Staffing

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/14/2020
The VA Black Hills Healthcare System Director complies with Veterans Health Administration requirements that Level 1 and 2 facilities have an assistant chief of Sterile Processing Services on staff.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/9/2021
The VA Black Hills Healthcare System Director ensures that Sterile Processing Services leaders track changes to manufacturer’s instructions, updates standard operating procedures, retrains staff as needed, and monitors compliance with Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/14/2020
The VA Black Hills Healthcare System Director ensures that Sterile Processing Services leaders maintain up-to-date staff competencies for reprocessing, and monitors compliance with Veterans Health Administration policy.
Review of Regional Procurement Office East’s Contract Closeout Compliance
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19-05866-82
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Topics:  Contract Integrity

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/16/2020
The OIG recommended that the executive director of VHA Procurement establish effective and consistent quality assurance reviews, especially for contracts deemed higher risk, to ensure all closeout requirements, such as identifying and deobligating excess funds, closing out contracts timely, and properly completing and uploading closeout documentation, are performed in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and the Veterans Health Administration procurement manual.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/16/2020
The OIG recommended that the executive director of VHA Procurement ensure all contracting officers receive standardized training regarding the Veterans Health Administration procurement manual closeout procedures, including the correct use of closeout procedures for contracts that are awarded using Federal Acquisition Regulation part 8 and simplified acquisition procedures.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/16/2020
The OIG recommended that the executive director of VHA Procurement ensure the contract files for the 40 sampled contracts have complete closeout documentation in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and Veterans Health Administration procurement manual.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 6,840,219.00
Alleged Issues in the Cardiology Department at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
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19-07090-90
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Topics:  Staffing

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/23/2020
The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center Director reviews and develops cardiology recruitment and retention processes to reach the approved staffing level.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/19/2020
The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center Director explores the possible reasons for difficulties recruiting and retaining cardiologists and takes action to resolve identified issues.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/19/2020
The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center Director ensures that facility staff understand the Veterans Health Administration policy regarding authorized and unauthorized patient wait lists, and monitors compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/19/2020
The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center Director ensures facility managers train staff regarding the consult process and wait list policies, and monitors compliance.
Quality of Care Issues in the Community Living Center and Emergency Department at the Dayton VA Medical Center, Ohio
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18-01275-89
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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: 8/3/2020
The Dayton VA Medical Center Director identifies facility resources and other means for provider education and training to strengthen skills when deficiencies in care are identified during peer reviews.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/3/2020
The Dayton VA Medical Center Director ensures that Peer Review Committee meeting minutes document reasons for changes to peer review levels, and that changes are consistent with its review of relevant aspects of clinical care.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/3/2020
The Dayton VA Medical Center Director ensures review of procedures to make certain gastroenterology staff coordinate care with referring providers and provide staff training on care coordination procedures as needed.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/18/2021
The Dayton VA Medical Center Director makes certain that Community Living Center staff utilize the Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation communication tool and document transfers to the Emergency Department in accordance with Dayton VA Medical Center policy.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/3/2020
The Dayton VA Medical Center Director considers consolidating Medical Center policies related to patient transfers and transports to and from the Emergency Department into one policy to provide clear guidance to staff to effect timely transfers.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/3/2020
The Dayton VA Medical Center Director ensures consistent implementation of standing orders in the Emergency Department.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/14/2021
The Dayton VA Medical Center Director verifies policies and procedures are in place for monitoring of critically ill patients to track deterioration and need for intervention in the Emergency Department and during transport, and monitor compliance.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/25/2021
The Dayton VA Medical Center Director ensures that handoff communication between Emergency Department providers is accurate and documented in the electronic health record during transitions in care in accordance with Dayton VA Medical Center policy, and compliance is monitored.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/3/2020
The Dayton VA Medical Center Director ensures review of results from the revision of the Dayton VA Medical Center policy on threshold for peer review findings to trigger management reviews in order to confirm the revised policy is appropriately sensitive to identify provider practice issues that constitute patient safety concerns, and revise the policy if needed.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/3/2020
The Dayton VA Medical Center Director confirms all code carts in the Emergency Department are processed and secured consistent with Dayton VA Medical Center policy.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/18/2021
The Dayton VA Medical Center Director ensures Emergency Department supplies are secured and maintained consistent with Dayton VA Medical Center policy.
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/2/2020
The Dayton VA Medical Center Director ensures continued monitoring and compliance with bar code medication administration policy in the Community Living Center.
No. 13
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/25/2021
The Dayton VA Medical Center Director reviews document management procedures for professional practice evaluations and takes actions as needed to comply with the VA Records Control Schedule.
Alleged Improper Locality Pay for Teleworking Employee
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18-03251-88

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to General Counsel (OGC)
Closure Date: 2/18/2020
The Office of General Counsel communicates to its telework-approving supervisors that they lack authority to grant permanent exceptions to the twice-per-pay-period reporting requirement of 5 C.F.R. § 531.605(d)(1), and that in any instance in which an exception is granted pursuant to 5 C.F.R. § 531.605(d)(2) or any other applicable provision, the supervisor is obligated to periodically reassess the employee’s telework arrangement to determine whether a permanent change of official worksite is necessary.
Telehealth Public-Use Questionnaires Were Used Improperly to Determine Disability Benefits
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19-07119-80

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 7/16/2020
Determine whether public-use disability benefits questionnaires continue to be an effective means of gathering evidence to support claims for benefit entitlement and, if necessary, take steps to discontinue their use.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 7/16/2020
Update the Veterans Benefits Administration’s adjudication procedures manual to assist claims processors in determining whether public-use disability benefits questionnaires were conducted through telehealth and include specific steps on what to do if claims processors suspect that public-use disability benefits questionnaires were completed via telehealth.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 7/16/2020
Revise public-use disability benefits questionnaire forms to include a mechanism for the private provider to indicate whether the examination was completed in person or through telehealth.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 7/16/2020
Notify veterans and private providers on public-facing forums and public-use disability benefits questionnaires that telehealth examinations are not acceptable for use in making benefit entitlement determinations.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 613,000.00
Review of Veterans Health Administration Community Living Centers and Corresponding Star Ratings
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18-05113-81
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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: 8/5/2021
The Under Secretary for Health supplements the use of Community Living Center Compare with adjustment measures to better address the Community Living Center to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services comparison challenges for veterans, their families, and the public.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/5/2021
The Under Secretary for Health continues to develop specific measures that employ a more rigorous risk adjustment to better measure staffing and quality performance with respect to the Community Living Center population.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/12/2021
The Under Secretary for Health develops a resource that works in conjunction with other information about Community Living Centers to provide an understandable narrative for veterans, their families, and the public.
Veterans Received Inaccurate Disability Benefit Payments After Reserve or National Guard Drill Pay Adjustments
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18-05738-56
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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: 4/4/2022
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits conduct a review of automatically and manually completed fiscal year 2016 drill pay adjustments that involved active duty military periods during that fiscal year, and take corrective actions as necessary.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 4/4/2022
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits conduct a review of automatically and manually completed fiscal year 2016 drill pay adjustments that involved a response to the proposal letter, and take corrective actions as necessary.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 9/16/2020
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits remind Intake Processing Center staff of their responsibilities for processing responses to drill pay proposal letters, including the appropriate actions to take when a response is received disagreeing with the proposal, and implement a plan to ensure staff compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 11/6/2020
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits implement a plan to provide detailed training for VBA staff who process drill pay adjustments and monitor the effectiveness of the training.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 56,800,000.00
Concern Regarding a Patient Death and Alleged Conflicts of Interest at the VA Western Colorado Health Care System, Grand Junction
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19-06435-84
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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: 10/26/2020
The VA Western Colorado Health Care System Director ensures the VA Western Colorado Health Care System Chief of Staff evaluate the management of the identified patient’s abnormal test results and provide re education to all primary care providers on their duties when alerted to abnormal blood smear results.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/26/2020
The VA Western Colorado Health Care System Director requests a conflict of interest review from the VA Office of General Counsel regarding the urologists’ ownership of the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy company and provides an accurate description of the alternate forms of treatment and the comparable costs associated with those treatments.
Little Rock VARO Employee Inaccurately Established and Decided Claims
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19-06757-70
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Topics:  Claims and Appeals

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 10/16/2021
Review rating decisions made by the rating veterans service representative since being released on single-signature status, and correct any decisions found to be made in error.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 1/30/2020
Ensure rating decisions involving clear and unmistakable errors are signed by a quality review specialist and the veterans service center manager, or their designee.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 7/28/2020
Ensure rating veterans service representatives do not have the function to establish claims in VA’s electronic system.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 311,000.00
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of Veterans Integrated Service Network 1: VA New England Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts
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19-06866-68
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Topics:  Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/27/2021
The network director ensures that staff at each Veterans Integrated Service Network facility perform the required acute inpatient stay reviews and monitors staff compliance.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/18/2021
The quality management officer confirms that an interdisciplinary group at each facility reviews utilization management data and monitors the group’s compliance.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/27/2021
The quality management officer makes certain that staff at each facility annually complete a minimum of eight root cause analyses and monitors staff compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/18/2021
The chief medical officer ensures that facility clinical managers define criteria in advance for licensed independent practitioners’ focused professional practice evaluations and monitors clinical managers’ compliance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/27/2021
The chief medical officer confirms that facility clinical managers include service-specific criteria in ongoing professional practice evaluations for licensed independent practitioners and monitors clinical managers’ compliance.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/27/2021
The chief medical officer confirms that ongoing professional practice evaluation results are based on evaluation by another provider with similar training and privileges and monitors compliance.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/27/2021
The chief medical officer verifies that facilities’ executive committee of the medical staff document the decision to recommend continuing privileges for licensed independent practitioners based on ongoing professional practice evaluation results and monitors committees’ compliance.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/27/2021
The chief medical officer makes certain that facility clinical managers clearly define and share in advance the expectations, outcomes, and time frames with licensed independent practitioners for focused professional practice evaluations for cause and monitors clinical managers’ compliance.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/3/2020
The deputy network director ensures a written policy establishes and maintains a Veterans Integrated Service Network-level comprehensive environment of care program.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/3/2020
The deputy network director makes certain that the emergency management committee conducts an annual review of the emergency operations plan, continuity of operations plan, and hazards vulnerability analysis and monitors the committee’s compliance.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/3/2020
The deputy network director makes certain that the emergency management committee conducts, documents, and sends an annual review of the collective Veterans Integrated Service Network-wide strengths, weaknesses, priorities, and requirements for improvement to leadership for review and approval and monitors the committee’s compliance.
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/24/2020
The quality management officer reviews Veterans Integrated Service Network facilities’ controlled substances inspection quarterly trend reports.
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the Alaska VA Healthcare System, Anchorage, Alaska
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19-00054-72
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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: 9/23/2020
The facility director ensures that the patient safety manager completes a minimum of eight root cause analyses each fiscal year and monitors the patient safety manager’s compliance.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/15/2021
The facility director ensures that a formal process is established to review override reports and monitors compliance.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/15/2021
The facility director makes certain that primary care and mental health providers complete military sexual trauma mandatory training within the required time frame and monitors providers’ compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/26/2021
The chief of staff verifies that clinicians provide and document patient and/or caregiver education about the safe and effective use of newly prescribed medications and monitors clinicians’ compliance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/23/2020
The chief of staff ensures clinicians review and reconcile medications and monitors clinicians’ compliance.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/15/2021
The facility director confirms that the Women’s Health Committee is comprised of the required core members and monitors committee’s compliance.
Deficiencies in the Women Veterans Health Program and Other Quality Management Concerns at the North Texas VA Healthcare System
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19-06378-73
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Topics:  Patient Safety ● Community Care

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/29/2020
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director takes steps to ensure sufficient staffing to provide gender-specific care by designated women’s health primary care providers.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/29/2020
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director ensures steps are taken to reduce panel sizes of designated women’s health primary care providers as required by Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/20/2020
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director reviews the Veterans Health Administration policy recommended extended appointment times for comprehensive women veterans healthcare examinations and takes action as appropriate to achieve compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/29/2020
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director takes steps to ensure that appropriate resources, such as equipment, supplies, and space, are adequate to support comprehensive women veterans healthcare.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/1/2021
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director takes steps to ensure that the Women Veterans Program Manager participates in the environment of care rounds and monitors for compliance with Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/29/2020
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director evaluates clinic areas where gender specific primary care is currently provided and when planning renovations to existing areas to ensure adequate restroom access for women veterans and takes action as appropriate.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/11/2021
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director continues to evaluate and support staffing changes in the gynecology specialty clinic to enhance services.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2022
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director ensures implementation of an effective tracking mechanism to ensure VA providers receive results for women veterans referred to care in the community and monitors for compliance with Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2022
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director verifies review of the electronic health records of women veterans referred to Care in the Community whose medical records have not been obtained and takes action if indicated.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/29/2020
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director takes steps to ensure performance and evaluation processes provide the intended assessment of compliance with Veterans Health Administration requirements and monitors for compliance.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/29/2020
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director verifies that institutional disclosures are conducted for events that meet disclosure criteria and monitors for compliance with Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/29/2020
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director takes steps to ensure the required number of combined totals of root cause analyses and aggregated reviews are completed, and monitors for compliance with Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 13
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/29/2020
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director ensures completion of root cause analyses within the required timeframes and monitors for compliance with Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 14
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/20/2020
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director verifies that staff complete training on policy related to high-risk patient goals of care conversations for life-sustaining treatment plans and monitors for completion of training.
No. 15
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/29/2021
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director ensures staff conduct high-risk patient goals of care conversations for life-sustaining treatment plans as required and monitors for compliance with Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 16
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/29/2021
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director takes steps to ensure provider documentation of high-risk patient goals of care and life-sustaining treatment plan in the required electronic health record template and monitors for compliance with Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 17
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/28/2021
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director verifies capture and reporting of all codes to the resuscitation subcommittee and monitors for compliance with Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 18
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/28/2021
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director ensures that the Critical Care Committee minutes reflect corrective action plans and follow-through to remediate concerns identified by the resuscitation subcommittee and monitors for compliance.
A Delay in Patient Notification of Test Results and Other Communication Issues at the Bath VA Medical Center, New York
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19-07070-75
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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: 12/14/2020
The Bath VA Medical Center Director ensures that surrogate providers comply with the facility’s notification policy when providing coverage.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/14/2020
The Bath VA Medical Center Director ensures that the Bath VA Medical Center Patient Transfer Policy clearly defines a process for outpatient transfers to a higher level of care utilizing facility paramedics.
Financial Controls and Payments Related to VA-Affiliated Nonprofit Corporations: Cincinnati Education and Research for Veterans Foundation
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18-00711-42
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Topics:  Financial Management

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/17/2020
The Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center director ensures the Cincinnati Education and Research for Veterans Foundation’s board of directors establishes policies that require responsible officials to verify adequate supporting documentation before approving expenditures.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/17/2020
The Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center director ensures the Cincinnati Education and Research for Veterans Foundation’s board of directors, or responsible officials, approve reimbursements to the executive director.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/29/2020
The Cincinnati VA Medical Center director establishes procedures to ensure Research and Development Budget Office staff review VA-affiliated nonprofit corporation invoices to make certain services were performed or the goods have been received in accordance with Intergovernmental Personnel Act agreements prior to approving invoices for payment.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/29/2020
The Cincinnati VA Medical Center director establishes procedures to ensure the Research and Development Budget Office supervisor conducts periodic reviews of the VA-affiliated nonprofit corporation invoices authorized for payment by staff as required by VA Financial Policies and Procedures, Volume VIII, Chapter 1A.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 950,000.00
Improvements Are Needed in the Community Care Consult Process at VISN 8 Facilities
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18-05121-36
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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: 12/31/2020
Develop and implement a mechanism for VA facilities and their respective VA community care departments to routinely identify and exchange wait time data to help make decisions that reduce patient wait times.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/20/2020
Routinely monitor the timeliness of each distinct stage of the community care consult process so Veterans Integrated Service Network 8 facilities can identify specific delays.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/20/2020
Ensure facilities routinely monitor the Office of Community Care staffing tool and take appropriate actions to confirm actual staffing levels are sufficient to meet workloads in a timely manner.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/12/2020
Ensure community care administrative staff are effectively cross-trained to carry out applicable administrative consult processing duties to streamline scheduling and authorizations, and implement a control to monitor whether facilities are processing community care consults in accordance with Office of Community Care guidance and recommendations.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/13/2021
Develop and implement specific facility plans to address the backlog of open consults and the growing number of new consults.
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, Louisiana
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19-00046-60

Open Recommendation Image, SquareOpenClosed and Implemented Recommendation Image, CheckmarkClosed-ImplementedNot Implemented Recommendation Image, X character'Closed-Not Implemented
No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/17/2020
The chief of staff makes certain that required representatives participate in interdisciplinary reviews of utilization management data and monitors the representatives’ compliance.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/5/2020
The chief of staff ensures that the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Committee reviews each resuscitative episode under the facility’s responsibility and the reviews include required elements and monitors committee’s compliance.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/5/2020
The chief of staff confirms clinical staff responding to resuscitation events have basic or advanced cardiac life support certification and monitors clinical staff compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/5/2020
The chief of staff ensures service chiefs include defined time frames in focused professional practice evaluations and monitors service chiefs’ compliance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/5/2020
The chief of staff confirms that service chiefs ensure that focused professional practice evaluations are completed by providers with similar training and privileges and monitors service chiefs’ compliance.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/5/2020
The chief of staff makes certain service chiefs include service-specific criteria for ongoing professional practice evaluations and monitors service chiefs’ compliance.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/5/2020
The chief of staff confirms that service chiefs ensure that ongoing professional practice evaluations are completed by providers with similar training and privileges and monitors service chiefs’ compliance.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/5/2020
The chief of staff makes certain that service chiefs clearly define and share in advance with providers the time frame, expectations, and outcomes for focused professional practice evaluations for cause that do not limit providers’ ability to practice independently for more than 30 days and monitors service chiefs’ compliance.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/5/2020
The associate director for Patient Care Services ensures that nursing staff label multi-dose medication vials with an expiration date upon opening and monitors staff compliance.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/16/2020
The chief of staff confirms that providers complete military sexual trauma mandatory training within the required time frame and monitors providers’ compliance.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/5/2020
The chief of staff makes certain that clinicians provide and document patient and/or caregiver education about newly prescribed medications and monitors clinicians’ compliance.
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/5/2020
The chief of staff ensures clinicians review and reconcile medications and maintain accurate medication information in patients’ electronic health records and monitors clinicians’ compliance.
No. 13
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/16/2020
The facility director ensures that the facility has a full-time women veterans program manager.
No. 14
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/14/2021
The chief of staff confirms that the Women Veterans Health Committee includes required core members and reports to a clinical executive level committee and monitors the committee’s compliance.
No. 15
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/31/2021
The chief of staff ensures that program managers implement a process to track and monitor cervical cancer screenings and follow-up care and monitors program managers’ compliance.
No. 16
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/5/2020
The chief of staff makes certain that ordering providers communicate abnormal results to patients within the required time frame and monitors providers’ compliance.
No. 17
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/16/2020
The chief of staff ensures the chief of Social Work maintains a backup call schedule for emergency department social workers.
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