All Reports

Date Issued
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Report Number
26-01069-255
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Topics:  Clinical Care Services Operations ● Mental Health

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Northport VA Medical Center Director considers reviewing the inclusion of psychotherapy extended-care caseload metrics into performance measures such as Focused Professional Practice Evaluations for Cause, and takes action as warranted.

No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Northport VA Medical Center Director considers a strategy to review patients terminated from individual psychotherapy while the psychotherapist was on a Focused Professional Practice Evaluation for Cause, determines whether any harm occurred, and takes action as warranted.

Date Issued
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Report Number
24-02172-253
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Topics:  Care Coordination ● Mental Health ● Suicide Prevention

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The District Director monitors district leaders’ compliance with completion of morbidity and mortality reviews for client deaths by suicide, including timeliness, as required.

No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The District Director ensures district leaders are aware of the Readjustment Counseling Service policy requirements to provide oversight of morbidity and mortality review completion, including all review components, the appropriateness of recommendations, and reporting delays to the Deputy Chief Officer.

No. 3
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Readjustment Counseling Service Chief Officer ensures morbidity and mortality review lessons learned are distributed nationally across Readjustment Counseling Service to support suicide prevention efforts.

No. 4
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The District Director identifies reasons for noncompliance with HRSF SharePoint-related RCSNet documentation requirements, ensures requirements are met, and monitors compliance.

No. 5
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Readjustment Counseling Service Chief Officer ensures implementation of a planned solution to address the high risk suicide flag SharePoint site malfunction and ensures data accuracy and functionality as intended.

Date Issued
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Report Number
24-03691-175
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Topics:  Care Coordination ● Healthcare Infrastructure

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Implement comprehensive national policy on how staff should process enrollment applications that are missing information—including a firm and clear requirement that they enter incomplete applications in the Veterans Health Administration Enrollment System.

No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Coordinate with the Veterans Benefits Administration to identify opportunities to further streamline enrolling veterans in both administrations.

No. 3
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Define and implement guidelines for applications received at community-based outpatient clinics to make certain that they are processed consistently and promptly across the Veterans Health Administration.

No. 4
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Ensure the Health Eligibility Center regularly evaluates medical center enrollment practices.

No. 5
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Establish and implement procedures to make sure enrollment staff adhere to requirements in reviewing the records of veterans who may qualify for higher‑priority groups.

No. 6
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Standardize how Veterans Integrated Service Networks assess whether medical facilities are complying with Veterans Health Administration enrollment policies.

No. 7
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Determine whether enrollment coordinators nationwide should employ the Health Eligibility Center’s audit tool, and if so, direct that its use is required.

No. 8
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Define in policy how medical facility enrollment coordinators should conduct oversight.

Date Issued
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Report Number
24-03176-247
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Topics:  Care Coordination ● Women’s Health

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Under Secretary for Health develops a process to identify patients with a diagnosis of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and implements an action plan that ensures monitoring of compliance with evidence-based care.

No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Under Secretary for Health reviews Veterans Health Administration’s compliance with American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Failure Society of America guideline-directed medical therapy medications for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (stages C or D) in women veterans and implements an action plan to ensure compliance.

No. 3
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Under Secretary for Health ensures women veterans with a diagnosis of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction who are not receiving guideline-directed medical therapy medications have a documented rationale for the exception and implements an action plan to ensure compliance.

Date Issued
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Report Number
25-03218-133
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Topics:  Financial Management ● PACT Act

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Office of Management (OM)

Ensure the Veterans Benefits Administration updates its Toxic Exposures Fund cost estimation methodology to reflect how it plans to use the funds.

No. 2
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to Office of Management (OM)

Implement monitoring procedures to ensure Veterans Health Administration expenditure transfers follow statutes.

No. 3
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to Office of Management (OM)

Assess lessons learned and establish standard operating procedures to integrate oversight roles, responsibilities, and clear guidance for reconciling Toxic Exposures Fund costs.

No. 4
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to Office of Management (OM)

Make certain that the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Office of Financial Management and Office of Human Capital Services validate the actual number of Toxic Exposures Fund–supported employees and properly code them in VA’s HR Smart.

Date Issued
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Report Number
25-04253-243
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Topics:  Patient Care Services Operations ● Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/14/2026

The Chief of Staff and Associate Director for Patient Care Services develop workflows that describe how each team member participates in the process for communicating test results.

Date Issued
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Report Number
25-04450-218
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Topics:  Clinical Care Services Operations ● Mental Health ● Patient Safety

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Central Virginia VA Health Care System Director evaluates inpatient mental health unit discharge practices and develops processes to assess a caregiver’s capability to ensure a safe discharge.

No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Central Virginia VA Health Care System Director ensures complaints to the patient advocate are reviewed and addressed in accordance with Veterans Health Administration Directive 1003.04, VHA Patient Advocacy.

No. 3
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Central Virginia VA Health Care System Director ensures medication reconciliation is completed at discharge and during post-discharge encounters according to Veterans Health Administration Directive 1345, Medication Reconciliation.

No. 4
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Central Virginia VA Health Care System Director ensures compliance with Veterans Health Administration Directive 1199, Reporting Cases of Abuse and Neglect, requirements related to clinical staff escalating encounters involving potential abuse and neglect.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/14/2026

The Central Virginia VA Health Care System Director conducts a comprehensive review of the patient’s hospitalization and post-discharge encounters and takes action as indicated, including quality management improvement processes.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/14/2026

The Under Secretary for Health considers establishing a process, to be used on non‑business days, that enables Veterans Crisis Line responders to timely escalate concerns of non‑imminent abuse to a mandated reporter.

Date Issued
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Report Number
25-00258-217
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Topics:  Patient Care Services Operations ● Supplies and Equipment

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/13/2026

The Associate Director keeps patient care areas clean and stores dirty and clean items separately.

Date Issued
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Report Number
25-02228-172
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Topics:  Claims and Fiduciary

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

Update the Adjudication Procedures Manual to require documentation of each specific action taken when staff certify mail as unidentifiable.

No. 2
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to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

Provide all employees who process unidentified mail appropriate access to all systems and resources necessary to identify a claimant.

No. 3
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to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

Implement a plan to ensure all Veterans Benefits Administration contact and correspondence with claimants is documented and stored as required by the Adjudication Procedures Manual. As part of this plan, ensure documentation is easily accessible to appropriate staff.

No. 4
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

Provide claims assistants who process unidentified mail with consistent quality reviews specific to their handling of unidentified mail.

No. 5
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

Consider implementing a training module on processing unidentified mail, including guidance on appropriate work credit for claims assistants, and incorporating it into the national training curriculum. This training could be beneficial for all personnel involved in mail processing, including supervisors and records management officers.

Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 822,468.00
Closed: $ 0.00
Date Issued
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Report Number
25-01098-103
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Topics:  Information Technology and Security

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Information and Technology (OIT)

Develop and maintain a Benefits Enterprise Platform modernization program schedule that (1) captures both agile and nonagile tasks and (2) documents the time frame for the delivery of all system modernization requirements.

No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Information and Technology (OIT)

Ensure staff follow VA’s Product (Line) Accountability and Reporting System Guide to include all program schedule information in the System.

No. 3
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to Information and Technology (OIT)

Develop reliable, validated life cycle cost estimates for the Benefits Enterprise Platform modernization program that support planning and budgeting as required by Office of Management and Budget Circulars A-130 and A‑11.

No. 4
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Information and Technology (OIT)

Include all Benefits Enterprise Platform modernization costs in the VA’s Product (Line) Accountability and Reporting System as required by the Veteran-Focused Integration Process Guide, and track Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund obligations and expenditures in the Office of Information and Technology PACT Act Dashboard consistent with VA financial policy.

No. 5
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to Information and Technology (OIT)

Establish a mechanism for enforcing VA policy that requires minor applications to include an approved security assessment before being placed on VA’s network.

Date Issued
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Report Number
25-04052-222
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Topics:  Maintenance and Construction ● Patient Safety

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Facility leaders implement measures to keep all eyewash stations clean and safe for emergency use.

No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Facility leaders implement measures to keep walkways free of obstructions to maintain clear exit routes.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/11/2026

The Director updates the facility’s written policy for test result communications to comply with requirements in Veterans Health Administration Directive 1088(1), Communicating Test Results to Providers and Patients.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/11/2026

The Chief of Staff and Associate Director of Patient Care Services/Nurse Executive develop and implement written workflows for each service that comply with Veterans Health Administration Directive 1088(1), Communicating Test Results to Providers and Patients.

Date Issued
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Report Number
25-03623-147
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Topics:  Community Care

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/10/2026

Consider the need for adjustments to current or for future contractual requirements that would improve mental health appointment timeliness by third-party administrators.

No. 2
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Identify and disseminate best practices used by healthcare systems to contact veterans, evaluate barriers to broader adoption of those practices, and implement a plan that supports consistent use of those best practices to improve scheduling timeliness.

No. 3
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Ensure that systems used to identify available community providers capture the full range of preferences that matter to veterans, so scheduling can better align with their individual needs and expectations for care.

No. 4
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Evaluate whether the third-party administrator’s network adequacy standards for mental health providers meet demand for both in person and telehealth, and if needed, modify the language to explicitly require sufficient availability of both in‑person and telehealth mental health providers to meet veteran demand.

No. 5
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Conduct a review to determine the best approach for increasing external use of available systems by community providers to streamline communication between the Veterans Health Administration and community providers and develop, implement, and monitor an action plan based on the review’s findings.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/10/2026

Assess the need for standardized guidance or contractual requirements that prohibit community mental health providers from requesting additional forms containing information already provided in the Veterans Health Administration referral documentation and implement measures to ensure compliance.

Date Issued
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Report Number
24-00818-208
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Topics:  Care Coordination ● Community Care ● Women’s Health

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Under Secretary for Health reviews Veterans Health Administration’s compliance with requirements for postpartum care coordination contacts by the maternity care coordinator and implements an action plan to ensure sustained compliance.

No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Under Secretary for Health reviews Veterans Health Administration maternity care coordinators’ compliance with requirements for postpartum screenings and implements an action plan to ensure sustained compliance.

No. 3
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Under Secretary for Health evaluates concerns regarding community care billing and billing resolution processes for maternity care and implements an action plan as warranted.

No. 4
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the scheduling and completion of postpartum primary care appointments within three months of delivery and implements an action plan to ensure sustained compliance.

Date Issued
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Report Number
25-00250-210
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Topics:  Patient Care Services Operations ● Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/7/2026

The Medical Center Director develops service-level workflows for communicating test results.

No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Medical Center Director monitors data on the communication of test results to providers and patients as required by VHA Directive 1088(1), Communicating Test Results to Providers and Patients.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
25-04102-182
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Topics:  Care Coordination ● Mental Health ● Patient Safety

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The VA Portland Health Care System Director ensures the Community Reintegration Services director and Health Care for Homeless Veterans program coordinator establish a process to monitor and verify case managers comply with monthly veteran contacts as required by the facility’s HCHV Case Management Workflow Guide, and takes action as warranted.

No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The VA Portland Health Care System Director ensures Health Care for Homeless Veterans staff discharge veterans from the Health Care for Homeless Veterans program in accordance with the facility’s HCHV Case Management Workflow Guide.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/6/2026

The VA Portland Health Care System Director reviews the quality management evaluations, once completed, for Veteran A’s and Veteran B’s care, and takes action as warranted.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/6/2026

The VA Portland Health Care System Director evaluates the Community Reintegration Services reporting structure and resources to determine if the current structure allows for effective oversight of essential homeless programs, and makes modifications if needed.

No. 5
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The VA Portland Health Care System Director ensures the Community Reintegration Services director monitors and verifies Grant and Per Diem liaisons’ compliance with Veterans Health Administration Directive 1162.01 requirements related to conducting veteran contacts.