Combined Assessment Program Review of the Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island

The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, OIG provided crime awareness briefings to 35 employees. This review focused on eight operational activities. The facility complied with selected standards in the following five activities: (1) colorectal cancer screening, (2) environment of care, (3) medication management, (4) polytrauma, and (5) Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Centers. The facility’s reported accomplishments were strengthening the colorectal cancer management program and establishing a highly effective system for assessing and caring for veterans with polytrauma and/or traumatic brain injury. OIG made recommendations for improvement in the following three activities: (1) QM, (2) moderate sedation, and (3) coordination of care.