Healthcare Inspection Clinical and Administrative Issues in the Suicide Prevention Program Alexandria VA Medical Center Pineville, Louisiana

OIG performed an inspection at the Alexandria VA Medical Center, Pineville, LA, to determine the validity of allegations regarding clinical and administrative issues in the Suicide Prevention Program. The complainant alleged that there were more than 600 patients on the “high risk for suicide” list who were not being monitored as required; that confidentiality and privacy were being breached in several program areas; and that Social Work Service leaders were not providing adequate oversight of programs, were not responsive to complaints, and were not appropriately addressing peer review findings. OIG found that at one point, there were over 400 patients on the “high risk for suicide” list; however, this condition no longer existed at the time of our site visit and we found that the revised monitoring system meets Veterans Health Administration requirements. OIG did not substantiate breaches in confidentiality or privacy, lack of management oversight, or inadequate follow-up of peer reviews findings. OIG made no recommendations.