All Reports

Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Alabama
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19-00057-238

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/2/2020
The facility director makes certain that all required representatives consistently participate in interdisciplinary reviews of utilization management data and monitors representatives’ compliance.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/1/2020
The facility director requires the patient safety manager to ensure completion of the required minimum of eight root cause analyses each fiscal year and monitors patient safety manager’s compliance.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/10/2020
The facility director makes certain that the patient safety manager or designee includes all the required elements in root cause analyses and monitors patient safety manager’s compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/1/2020
The facility director ensures that managers consistently implement improvement actions arising from root cause analysis activities and evaluate actions taken for sustained improvement and monitors compliance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/1/2020
The facility director ensures the patient safety manager or designee provides feedback to individuals or departments who submit patient safety incidents that result in root cause analysis and monitors patient safety manager compliance.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/2/2020
The chief of staff ensures ongoing professional practice evaluations utilize assessments by providers with similar training and privileges and monitors compliance.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/2/2020
The associate director ensures that a safe and clean environment is maintained throughout the facility and Selma VA Clinic and monitors compliance.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/2/2020
The associate director ensures the VA police respond to panic alarm testing in the locked mental health unit and document response time and monitors compliance.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/1/2020
The associate director ensures that the comprehensive emergency management plan is reviewed annually by the Emergency Management Committee and approved by executive leadership and monitors compliance.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/2/2020
The facility director makes certain that primary care and mental health providers complete military sexual trauma mandatory training within the required time frame and monitors providers’ compliance.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/1/2020
The chief of staff ensures clinicians review and reconcile patients’ medications and maintain and communicate accurate patient medication information in patients’ electronic health record and monitors clinicians’ compliance.
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/2/2020
The director makes certain that the chief of staff assigns a women’s health medical director or clinical champion and monitors chief of staff’s compliance.
No. 13
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/3/2021
The chief of staff confirms that the Women Veterans Health Committee includes required core members and monitors committee’s compliance.
No. 14
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/2/2020
The chief of staff ensures that providers notify patients of abnormal cervical pathology results within the required time frame and monitors providers’ compliance.
Alleged Poor Quality of Cancer Care at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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18-01879-232

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/25/2020
The VA Caribbean Healthcare System Director strengthens procedures to ensure that medical oncology staff monitor patients receiving chemotherapy to assess for toxicity symptoms and patient tolerance, and the monitoring is documented in the electronic health record.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/25/2020
The VA Caribbean Healthcare System Director ensures that program managers assess the need for care coordination agreements between the community living center and specialty services and, if warranted, implement the agreement(s).
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/25/2020
The VA Caribbean Healthcare System Director partners with community living center managers to provide education to nursing staff on the communication of patient status changes using the observation and communication tool, and procedures as outlined in VA Caribbean Healthcare System policy.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/5/2020
The VA Caribbean Healthcare System Director makes certain that community living center managers conduct a review of patient care plans to confirm their accuracy, update them as necessary, and strengthen processes to prevent future omissions as warranted.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/26/2020
The VA Caribbean Healthcare System Director verifies that primary care physicians receive the education on the management of patients with prostate cancer being provided to urology and radiation oncology physicians.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/13/2021
The VA Caribbean Healthcare System Director ensures that the findings identified by Veterans Integrated Service Network reviewers as noted in this report are addressed and resolved.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/25/2020
The Veterans Integrated Service Network 8 Director makes certain that consistent and clear instructions are provided for all management reviews conducted concurrently by independent reviewers.
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the Sheridan VA Medical Center, Wyoming
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18-04681-228

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2020
The chief of staff ensures that clinical managers define and communicate expectations for focused professional practice evaluations in advance and maintain appropriate documentation of the processes, and monitors the clinical managers’ compliance.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2020
The chief of staff ensures ongoing professional practice evaluations include service-specific criteria and monitors compliance.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2020
The chief of staff makes certain that service chiefs collect and review ongoing professional practice evaluation data and that the facility’s Executive Committee of the Medical Staff reviews the data in the consideration to continue provider privileges, and monitors compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2020
The chief of staff confirms that the solo pathologist’s ongoing professional practice evaluation includes the minimum required specialty criteria and monitors compliance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2020
The associate director validates that the environment of care rounds team is trained to identify and record all environment of care deficiencies during environment of care rounds, and monitors compliance.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/2/2020
The facility director works with the VISN director and contracting officer to make certain that the Rock Springs VA Clinic property owners correct deficiencies and monitors compliance.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/2/2020
The associate director ensures the VA police document response time to panic alarm testing at the locked inpatient mental health unit and monitors compliance.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/16/2021
The associate director ensures flooring that provides cushioning is installed in the mental health seclusion rooms.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2020
The associate director validates that the facility’s emergency operations plan includes all required elements and monitors compliance.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/12/2020
The associate director makes certain that monthly emergency generator testing includes documentation of dynamic load used and monitors compliance.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2020
The facility director makes certain that monthly reconciliation of one day dispensing from pharmacy to every automated dispensing cabinet and one day return of stock to pharmacy from every automated dispensing cabinet is performed during controlled substances inspections and monitors compliance.
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2020
The facility director ensures that controlled substances inspectors verify controlled substances orders on a monthly basis and monitors the inspectors’ compliance.
No. 13
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2020
The facility director affirms that controlled substances coordinators refrain from conducting routine inspections and monitors the coordinators’ compliance.
No. 14
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2020
The facility director makes certain that providers complete military sexual trauma mandatory training within the required time frame and monitors compliance.
No. 15
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/2/2020
The chief of staff ensures clinicians provide and document patient/caregiver education for newly prescribed medications and monitors the clinicians’ compliance.
No. 16
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/12/2021
The facility director ensures the Women Veterans Health Committee includes required core members and monitors the committee’s compliance.
No. 17
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/27/2020
The facility director must seek a waiver should the facility continue to operate the urgent care center 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
No. 18
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/2/2020
The facility director ensures that the urgent care center is staffed with a licensed physician and a minimum of two registered nurses at all times of operation and monitors compliance.
No. 19
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2020
The chief of staff ensures that a backup call schedule is maintained for urgent care providers and monitors compliance.
No. 20
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/27/2020
The chief of staff ensures the emergency department integration software tracking program is fully implemented for data entry and that the information is utilized for improvement and monitors compliance.
No. 21
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/2/2020
The facility director ensures appropriate signage directs patients to the urgent care center and monitors compliance.
No. 22
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/24/2020
The facility director ensures that equipment and supplies necessary to care for patients are readily available at all times in the urgent care center and monitors compliance.
Equipment and Supply Mismanagement at the Hampton VA Medical Center, Virginia
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19-00260-215

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/27/2020
Assign a room number and designate a custodial officer to the second-floor operating room storage location and allocate responsibility to identify inventory and update the equipment inventory listing for the appropriate medical center services.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/27/2020
Ensure barcodes are affixed to all storage locations and items to properly track and identify nonexpendable equipment.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/27/2020
Verify and update the information in the Automated Engineering Management System/Medical Equipment Reporting System to ensure all equipment in the second-floor operating room storage location is entered into the system and has accurate item status and location.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/4/2020
Ensure Logistics Service management complies with requirements for completion of reports of survey for equipment identified as lost or stolen.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/17/2020
Develop and implement a process to ensure Logistics Service staff adhere to requirements for proper disposal of equipment that is no longer needed.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/17/2020
Ensure Logistics Service staff use the auto-generate function within the Generic Inventory Package to identify the appropriate quantities for supply orders.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/3/2020
Require Logistics Service management to conduct monthly verifications of the Generic Inventory Package reports to ensure staff use of the system for the receipt and distribution of supplies.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/27/2020
Ensure barcodes are affixed to all storage locations, storage shelves, and bins to properly track and identify expendable supplies.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/4/2020
Ensure Logistics Service management monitors and reviews the weekly verification of expired inventory and ensures log sheets are properly annotated and maintained.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/27/2020
Ensure a staffing plan is implemented to continue filling vacancies based on clinical and administrative workload and includes contingencies for any positions with high turnover rates.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/27/2020
Ensure national requirements for ordering procedures are strictly followed to ensure requestor, approving authority, and receiver for all purchases are not the same individual.
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/27/2020
Implement a process to sufficiently and timely address and correct deficiencies identified during the Veterans Integrated Service Network quality control reviews.
Construction Project Management at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, South Carolina
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18-01944-214

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/25/2019
The OIG recommended the director of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, ensure a process is established requiring that the Veterans Integrated Service Network 7 capital asset manager be informed, prior to construction contact awards, if construction is not planned to start within 150 days after contract awards, so that prudent decisions can be made in a timely manner regarding project funds.
Workload Management Challenges Identified at the Salt Lake City, Utah, Fiduciary Hub
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19-06565-217

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
The Director of the Salt Lake City Regional Office ensures the Fiduciary Hub workload management plan establishes timeliness goals for the various action mail tasks.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 4/6/2020
The Director of the Salt Lake City Regional Office makes certain fiduciary hub managers measure performance and monitor adherence to timeliness goals for action mail tasks once established.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
The Director of the Salt Lake City Regional Office establishes a requirement within the Fiduciary Hub workload management plan for routinely reviewing and resolving duplicate action mail tasks.
Leadership Failures Related to Training, Performance, and Productivity Deficits of a Provider at a Veterans Integrated Service Network 10 Medical Facility
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19-06429-227

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/16/2020
The Veteran Integrated Service Network 10 Medical Facility Director ensures the Credentialing and Privileging process for primary source verification of foreign education is performed and documented in accordance with Veterans Health Administration requirements.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/16/2020
The Veteran Integrated Service Network 10 Medical Facility Director ensures that the Credentialing and Privileging process for verifying and accepting professional references meets sufficiency standards in accordance with Veterans Health Administration guidance.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/16/2020
The Veteran Integrated Service Network 10 Medical Facility Director ensures that the Focused Professional Practice Evaluation process used to determine technical competence and skills meets Veterans Health Administration requirements.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/21/2020
The Veteran Integrated Service Network 10 Director evaluates whether the decision to reappoint the surgeon referenced in this report was improperly influenced by the Chief of Staff’s resolve to retain the services of the surgeon’s spouse in a sub-specialty position, and take action, if indicated.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/21/2020
The Veteran Integrated Service Network 10 Medical Facility Director coordinates with Veterans Integrated Service Network 10 or other resources to assist and support sole providers with performance deficits.
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System, Muskogee, Oklahoma
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18-06510-222

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/6/2021
The chief of staff makes certain that ongoing professional practice evaluations are completed by providers with similar training and privileges and monitors compliance.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/28/2020
The chief of staff makes certain that all focused professional practice evaluations include clearly defined time limitations and monitors compliance.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/28/2020
The chief of staff confirms that clinical managers share in advance the expectations and outcomes for focused professional practice evaluations for cause with providers and monitors clinical managers’ compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/4/2020
The associate director confirms that unit supervisors remove clean and sterile packaged items from shipping cartons and corrugated boxes prior to stowing in clean or sterile storage areas and monitors unit supervisors’ compliance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/4/2020
The facility director ensures the military sexual trauma coordinator communicates the status of military sexual trauma-related information to leadership and monitors coordinator’s compliance.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/4/2020
The facility director ensures that the military sexual trauma coordinator tracks and monitors the screening, referral, and treatment services provided to veterans and monitors coordinator’s compliance.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/26/2021
The facility director confirms that providers complete military sexual trauma mandatory training within the required time frame and monitors providers’ compliance.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/4/2020
The chief of staff makes certain that clinicians provide education to the patient and/or caregiver about the risks/benefits, potential interactions, and side effects of newly prescribed medications and monitors clinicians’ compliance.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/4/2020
The chief of staff ensures clinicians maintain and communicate accurate patient medication information in patients’ electronic health record and reconcile medications and monitors clinicians’ compliance.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/28/2021
The facility director confirms that the Women Veterans Health Committee includes required core members and monitors the committee’s compliance.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/4/2020
The facility director makes certain that the Women Veterans Health Committee reports at least quarterly to the Medical Executive Committee.
State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Need Increased Use and Oversight
|
18-02830-164

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/17/2021
Develop national processes to oversee medical facility compliance with VHA Directive 1306, Querying State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, and coordinate the possible automated information technology solutions and inter-office and -disciplinary communications necessary to improve prescription drug monitoring program monitoring and usage in Veterans Health Administration.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/13/2021
Update the Pain Management and Opioid Safety training course to specifically address VHA Directive 1306, Querying State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, query requirements and recommendations.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/9/2021
Ensure VA clinicians who prescribe opioids take the Pain Management and Opioid Safety training once, with annual refresher training.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/1/2020
Add an addendum to VHA Directive 1306, Querying State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, that references the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain and ensure VA clinicians are educated and receive annual training on the Clinical Practice Guideline, to include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended frequency for prescription drug monitoring program queries based on the patients’ risk factors.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/1/2020
Direct Veterans Integrated Service Networks and their VA medical facilities to ensure local policies are consistent with VHA Directive 1306, Querying State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 2/11/2021
Develop automated information technology solutions to facilitate clinicians’ access toprescription drug monitoring program query information and reinforce the need tocomplete minimum annual VA-required prescription drug monitoring program queries.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/11/2020
Ensure non-VA care clinicians are in good standing and have a current state medical license that requires adherence to their state’s prescription drug monitoring program query requirements; adhere to the Veterans Affairs Opioid Safety Initiative Guidelines, including guidelines for prescription drug monitoring program queries; and are monitored to ensure appropriate corrective actions are taken if their prescribing practices are found to be inconsistent with VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/1/2020
Ensure Veterans Integrated Service Networks implement an effective prescription drug monitoring program oversight process that includes the review of compliance rates with medical facility directors.
Alleged Care Delays and Inadequate Instrument Precleaning at the New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque
|
18-03526-230

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/12/2020
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director ensures that patients denied a Veterans Choice Program referral are informed of their rights to appeal, that facility policy is consistent with Veterans Health Administration requirements, and monitors compliance.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/8/2021
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director verifies that the Ophthalmology and Optometry Departments’ consult management and scheduling practices are consistent with Veterans Health Administration patient indicated date timeframe requirements, incorporates patient preference, and includes receiving provider review of consults, and monitors compliance.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/12/2020
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director makes certain the Ophthalmology and Optometry Departments’ clinical and administrative staff receive training regarding Veterans Health Administration requirements of consult management and scheduling practices.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/12/2020
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director reviews the Ophthalmology Department’s eye cataract intake surgery scheduling practice and ensures that overall timeliness is consistent with Veterans Health Administration directives, and monitors compliance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/16/2020
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director conducts a timeliness review of the authorization process for non-VA Care routine eye appointments, including diabetic eye examinations, and implement action plans if the process fails to adhere to Veterans Health Administration directives.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/12/2020
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director ensures the Gastroenterology Department’s consult management practices are consistent with Veterans Health Administration scheduling requirements for patient indicated dates, and monitors compliance.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/8/2021
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director establishes a routine review of Gastroenterology Department consult performance measures and a method to monitor identified deficiencies consistent with Veterans Health Administration requirements.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/26/2020
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director evaluates whether test results within the past 12 months, ordered by the Gastroenterology Department were communicated to patients according to Veterans Healthcare Administration and facility policy, and takes action as necessary based on the results of the evaluation.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/27/2020
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director reviews facility policy for the ordering and reporting of test results to be in alignment with Veterans Health Administration directives and completes revisions, if needed.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/8/2021
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director ensures that Gastroenterology Department-ordered test results are communicated timely in accordance with Veterans Health Administration and facility policy and the timeliness is monitored through the ongoing peer review process as required by facility policy.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/16/2020
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director ensures that the Gastroenterology Department Service Chief develop a process for delegating responsibility and accountability for test results and follow-up when multiple providers are involved, and monitors compliance.
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/27/2020
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director ensures documented endoscope precleaning training for Gastroenterology Fellows, and monitors compliance.
No. 13
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/27/2020
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director verifies that documentation of endoscope precleaning competencies for Gastroenterology Fellows is consistent with Veterans Health Administration requirements.
Boston, Massachusetts, VA Regional Office Supervisor Incorrectly Processed Work Items
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19-07350-192

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 5/18/2020
The director of the Boston VA Regional Office reviews and corrects all work items that were cancelled or cleared by the supervisor that are likely to result in adjustments to recipients’ benefit payments.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 9/19/2019
The director of the Boston VA Regional Office confers with regional counsel to determine the appropriate administrative action to take, if any, against the supervisor.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 2/19/2020
The director of the Boston VA Regional Office implements a plan to ensure internal controls for assessing the quality of claims processed by supervisors.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 84,400.00
Quality of Care and Patient Safety Concerns on the Acute Behavioral Health Unit at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|
18-00777-224

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/26/2020
The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center Director ensures that providers understand the importance of monitoring for cardiac changes, drug-drug interactions, and signs of oversedation when initiating patients on methadone.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/26/2020
The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center Director monitors that providers and clinical staff effectively and directly communicate with one another when providing complex patient care.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/3/2020
The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center Director confirms that the issue brief submitted on the identified patient contains accurate information.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/3/2020
The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center Director reviews the root cause analysis related to the identified patient to determine if the team composition compromised the integrity of the root cause analysis and take appropriate action if necessary.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/11/2020
The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center Director ensures that root cause analysis team compositions include appropriate staff and monitor compliance.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/3/2020
The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center Director considers Peer Review for Quality Management for the additional two providers identified in this report.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/11/2020
The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center Director ensures that Unit 7E staff are knowledgeable of the observation policy, and nursing leaders are monitoring staff compliance when assigned rounding responsibilities.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/26/2020
The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center Director completes actions initiated or taken to resolve identified deficiencies that contributed to the events discussed in this report, and monitors for compliance.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/26/2020
The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center Director certifies that providers receive ongoing education on the required elements of a signed written consent prior to the initiation of methadone and ensures that providers comply with VA policy and monitors for compliance.
Sole-Source Service Contracting at Regional Procurement Office West Needs Improvement
|
18-01836-185

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/17/2019
The OIG recommended the Executive Director, VHA Procurement, ensure awareness of approval procedures and the requirement to prepare a written justification and approval document for sole-source contracts,
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/24/2020
The OIG recommended the Executive Director, VHA Procurement, establish procedures to help ensure all justification and approval documents are prepared and approved by the appropriate authority.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/17/2019
The OIG recommended the Executive Director, VHA Procurement, review the actions of contracting personnel involved in the cited contracts and determine whether administrative actions are warranted.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 6,034,026.00
Sole-Source Service Contracting at Regional Procurement Office East Needs Improvement
|
18-01836-184

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/17/2019
The OIG recommended that the executive director, VHA Procurement ensure awareness of approval procedures and the requirement to prepare a writtenjustification and approval document for sole-source contracts.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/24/2020
The OIG recommended that the executive director, VHA Procurement establish procedures to help ensure all justification and approval documents areprepared and approved by the appropriate authority.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/24/2020
The OIG recommended that the executive director, VHA Procurement review the actions of contracting personnel involved in the cited contracts anddetermine whether administrative actions are warranted.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/2/2020
The OIG recommended that the executive director, VHA Procurement establish formal coordination with the requiring activity to ensure adequate time isallotted for soliciting and awarding recurring services competitively.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 14,245,166.00
Security and Access Controls for the Beneficiary Fiduciary Field System Need Improvement
|
18-05258-193

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT),Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 8/26/2020
The assistant secretary for information and technology, in conjunction with the under secretary for benefits, reevaluate the risk determination for the Beneficiary Fiduciary Field System and determine if the system should be set to a security categorization level.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT),Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 8/26/2020
The assistant secretary for information and technology, in conjunction with the under secretary for benefits, perform a risk assessment of access levels to beneficiary and fiduciary records, based upon the least privilege principle, and regularly review access to ensure that principle is enforced.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 8/26/2020
The assistant secretary for information and technology ensures audit logs within the Beneficiary Fiduciary Field System allow for management tracking of end-user access in order to reduce unauthorized browsing and the risk of data theft due to malicious activity.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 5/13/2020
The under secretary for benefits ensures field examiners submit reports with a cursory lock engaged to protect their data integrity and to prevent separation of duties issues.
Problems Were Identified on One Regional Procurement Office Central Ambulance Service Contract
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18-01836-183

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/12/2019
The OIG recommended that the executive director, VHA Procurement ensure awareness of approval procedures for justification and approval documents for sole source contracts.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/25/2020
The OIG recommended that the executive director, VHA Procurement establish formal coordination with the requiring activity to ensure adequate time is allotted for soliciting and awarding recurring services competitively.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 2,227,493.00
National Review of Hospice and Palliative Care at the Veterans Health Administration
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17-05251-194

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/29/2021
The Under Secretary for Health ensures the development and implementation of a consistent and standardized approach for hospice and palliative care documentation, consult management, and coding.
Accuracy of Claims Decisions Involving Conditions of the Spine
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18-05663-189

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 11/3/2021
Implement a plan to conduct a focused analysis of claims processor compliance with the requirements set forth by recent court decisions regarding examiner opinions and formulate a plan to review and take corrective action on affected claims if deemed necessary based on the results of that review.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 4/24/2023
Develop a plan to update the rating schedule to establish more objective criteria for each level of evaluation for peripheral nerves.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 11/3/2021
Review all sections of the procedures manual related to peripheral nerve disability evaluations and develop a plan to make updates and clarifications where applicable.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 11/6/2020
Review the disability benefits questionnaire forms for conditions of the spine and determine whether updates are needed to help ensure more accurate and consistent claims decisions.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 11/3/2021
Update the Evaluation Builder tool to help users provide more accurate, comprehensive, and consistent information for claims decisions involving the spine and peripheral nerves.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 64,800,000.00
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