Healthcare Inspection - Quality of Mental Health Care, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Denver, Colorado

OIG assessed the merit of allegations concerning the quality of mental health care at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (HCS), Denver, CO. OIG did not substantiate the allegation that the patient was not provided or offered other treatment options in conjunction with medications. HCS providers, as well as providers at the other Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities where the patient received services, offered the patient a variety of therapies in both outpatient and inpatient settings. OIG did not substantiate the allegation that VHA providers improperly managed the patient’s psychiatric medications. The patient’s medications were appropriate in terms of his diagnoses of bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, and the medications were managed appropriately. However, we found that the patient’s admission to a mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program was delayed for reasons that were not supported by VHA policy. OIG made one recommendation to ensure timely access to mental health residential rehabilitation treatment programs. The Veterans Integrated Service Network and Facility Directors agreed with the finding and recommendation and provided an acceptable action plan.