Healthcare Inspection Emergency Room Discharge of a Hospice Patient Hampton VA Medical Center Hampton, Virginia

The VA Office of Inspector General Office of Healthcare Inspections evaluated the validity of four allegations made against the Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton, VA. We substantiated the allegation that the Emergency Room (ER) provider did not perform a complete evaluation. We substantiated the allegation that staff did not provide the veteran with hospice care when requested. We did not substantiate the allegation that hospice beds were available on the day of the ER visit. We could not confirm or refute the allegation that staff treated the veteran and spouse poorly. We recommended that all ER staff receive training in hospice and palliative care, that active case finding for veterans in need of hospice and palliative care occurs, and that the facility conducts hospice and palliative care education activities for all clinical staff.