Combined Assessment Program Review of the Samuel S. Stratton VA Medical Center Albany, New York

The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we provided fraud and integrity awareness training to 199 employees. The review covered eight operational activities. The medical center complied with selected standards in the following two activities (1) contracted/agency registered nurses and (2) survey of healthcare experiences of patients. We identified early suicide risk detection, a new employee orientation initiative, and Schwartz Center rounds as organizational strengths. We made recommendations for improvement in the following six activities: QM program. Emergency/urgent care operations. Coordination of care. Environment of care. Suicide prevention program. Medication management.