All Reports

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00240-17
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Topics: Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing,Mental Health,Patient Care Services Operations,Patient Safety,Suicide Prevention
Related Media: Facility Photo

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

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures service chiefs complete Focused Professional Practice Evaluations for all licensed independent practitioners.

No. 2
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures practitioners with equivalent specialized training and similar privileges complete licensed independent practitioners’ professional practice evaluations.

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

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures service chiefs incorporate service-specific criteria in licensed independent practitioners’ professional practice evaluations.

No. 4
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures service chiefs consider relevant Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation data in reprivileging recommendations.

No. 5
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures the Medical Executive Board uses professional practice evaluation results to recommend privileges for licensed independent practitioners.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Medical Center Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff conduct environment of care inspections in patient care areas at the required frequency.

No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Medical Center Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures Automated External Defibrillator cabinets containing naloxone have alarms set in the “on” position, contain tamper-evident seals, display laminated “N” signs, and include naloxone inspection logs and administration reference cards.

No. 8
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Medical Center Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff check inventory in clean storerooms and remove expired supplies in the Emergency Department and medical/surgical inpatient unit.

No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Associate Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures the Chief of Environmental Management Service maintains clean floors in the Dialysis Unit and medical/surgical inpatient unit clean storage and supply rooms.

No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Associate Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff maintain safe and functional environments in the Dialysis Unit and medical/surgical inpatient unit.

No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Associate Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff keep furnishings safe and in good repair in the intensive care and medical/surgical inpatient units.

No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Associate Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff repair damaged walls in the Dental Clinic and Emergency Department.

No. 13
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Associate Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff replace stained ceiling tiles in the Emergency Department and Primary Care Red Team.

No. 14
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Medical Center Director determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff post signage where recording equipment is used in the intensive care and medical/surgical inpatient units, Dental Clinic, and Primary Care Red Team indicating the areas are subject to photography, digital imaging, video, or audio recording.

No. 15
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures providers assess whether patients’ most recent suicide attempt was their most lethal when completing the Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation.

Date Issued
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Report Number
21-02110-138
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Topics: Mental Health

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No. 1
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health directs the Office of Primary Care and Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to identify barriers to provider documentation of opioid use disorder in progress notes and implement solutions addressing these barriers.
No. 2
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures the Office of Primary Care and Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention determine impediments to maintaining accurate identification of opioid use disorder in electronic health record problem lists and implement policy and training to support accurate use of problem lists.
No. 3
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health confirms the Office of Primary Care and Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention evaluate barriers affecting provider access and use of Department of Defense treatment records in Joint Longitudinal Viewer and implement solutions.
No. 4
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures the Office of Primary Care and Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention improve continuity of care by confirming providers are educated on the navigation and retrieval of Department of Defense treatment records in Joint Longitudinal Viewer.
No. 5
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health requires the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services/Chief Medical Officer to evaluate and update processes for identification of veterans with a history of opioid use disorder for the provision of opioid overdose risk mitigation strategies.
Date Issued
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Report Number
22-02188-109
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Topics: Mental Health,Care Coordination

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA San Diego Healthcare System Director ensures the accuracy of code green documentation.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA San Diego Healthcare System Director evaluates the VA San Diego Healthcare System Memorandum 116A-06, “Code Green/Code Yellow,” and aligns definitions, requirements, and responsibilities with purpose and practice, and monitors compliance.
Date Issued
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Report Number
22-00540-107
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Topics: Mental Health

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No. 1
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Black Hills Health Care System Director continues to monitor and track the identified action plan through to completion.
No. 2
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Black Hills Health Care System Director reviews the evidence and independently determines if the state licensing board should be notified.
Date Issued
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Report Number
22-00514-108
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Topics: Mental Health

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Black Hills Health Care System Director reviews the sexual harassment policy to ensure that leaders and supervisors can identify, thoroughly investigate, and respond to sexual harassment allegations.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Black Hills Health Care System Director reviews the actions of the Compensated Work Therapy and Transitional Residence program manager related to the identified patient’s case and takes action as needed.
No. 3
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Black Hills Health Care System Director ensures that facility policy addresses the safety and rights of patients who are both VA employees and participants in the Transitional Residence program.
Date Issued
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Report Number
21-03680-80
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Topics: Mental Health,Care Coordination

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center Director conducts a comprehensive review of the patient’s care received in the Emergency Department and primary care setting, consults with the appropriate Human Resources and General Counsel Offices to determine whether any personnel action is warranted, and takes action.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center Director evaluates the Emergency Department alcohol withdrawal treatment protocol and ensures policy aligns with evidence-based care guidelines.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center Director considers establishing written procedures for discharge planning in the Emergency Department, including documentation of contact with family members regarding notification of discharge and follow-up when applicable.

No. 4
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center Director expedites written guidance for primary care staff’s care coordination of patients discharged from the Emergency Department including documentation expectations and oversight responsibilities, and monitors compliance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center Director conducts a full review of the patient’s care, determines if an institutional disclosure is warranted, and takes action as indicated.
No. 6
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Center Director establishes a protocol for the administrative staff management of potentially urgent patient care needs, ensures training, and monitors compliance.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center Director develops procedures for the management of intoxicated patients in the primary care setting to include documentation of safe transport considerations.
Date Issued
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Report Number
21-01836-66
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Topics: Mental Health,Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System Director evaluates the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System’s non-formulary medication request and appeal processes for ketamine and antipsychotic medication, implements necessary changes, and educates prescribing providers and pharmacists on the processes.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System Director ensures that the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System staff document informed consents for stellate ganglion blocks and intravenous ketamine treatment in accordance with Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System Director evaluates the standard operating procedure, Psychiatric Use of IV Ketamine, Eastern Oklahoma VA Healthcare System, and specifically delineates the mechanisms for referral and evaluation of patients, to include documentation of criteria for patients to receive ketamine treatment and ensures staff are educated and compliant with the procedure.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System Director takes action to ensure Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System leaders continue to resolve disagreements between prescribers and pharmacists and foster the development of positive working relations among Anesthesiology, Pharmacy, and Psychiatry Services.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the VA Ketamine Infusion for Treatment-Resistant Depression and Severe Suicidal Ideation National Protocol Guidance to determine whether the acceptable number of previous treatment failures in a current episode of depression should be modified to align with current scientific recommendations.
Date Issued
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Report Number
22-00901-78
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Topics: Patient Safety,Mental Health

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Northern California Health Care System Director will ensure development and implementation of a VA Northern California Health Care System prescription drug monitoring program policy as required by Veterans Health Administration Directive 1306(1), Querying State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP).
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Northern California Health Care System Director verifies the VA Northern California Health Care System pain management policy is in alignment with Veterans Health Administration Directive 1005, Informed Consent for Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Pain.
Date Issued
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Report Number
22-01363-52
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Topics: Mental Health

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Northern California Health Care System Director ensures mental health prescribing provider same-day access.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Northern California Health Care System Director makes certain that when a patient cannot engage in a risk assessment, the provider documents the reasons for the patient’s inability to complete the assessment, and risk and protective factors, as required by the Veterans Health Administration.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Northern California Health Care System Director ensures the nurse practitioner documents in patients’ electronic health records the comprehensive rationale for medication choices, schedules follow-up appointments consistent with clinical monitoring needs, and accurately documents medication instructions.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Northern California Health Care System Director conducts a full review of the patient’s care, determines if an institutional disclosure is warranted, and takes action as indicated.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Northern California Health Care System Director expedites planned environmental changes to the Chico Community-Based Outpatient Mental Health Clinic.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
21-03864-34
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Topics: Mental Health,Community Care

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director ensures that staff provide alternative treatment options, including community residential care referrals, when Veterans Health Administration admission wait time for substance abuse disorder residential rehabilitation treatment exceeds 30 days, and monitors compliance.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director conducts a comprehensive review of the management of community residential care referrals and takes action as warranted.
No. 3
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that Veterans Integrated Service Network leaders provide adequate oversight to ensure adherence to the mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program access to care policy as required.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA North Texas Health Care System Director makes certain that the Bonham Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program procedures are consistent with Veterans Health Administration scheduling requirements, and monitors compliance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health strengthens mental health treatment coordinator assignment procedures for patients awaiting mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program admission as warranted.
Date Issued
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Report Number
21-01711-50
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Topics: Mental Health

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No. 1
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention develops, implements, and monitors action plans to meet Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery visit frequency requirements, to include program resource needs and the ongoing role for virtual care.
No. 2
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health requires the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to develop a process for Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery programs to ensure veterans receiving low-intensity services do not represent greater than 20 percent of caseloads and to distinguish between veterans receiving high- and low-intensity services for accurate and effective program oversight.
No. 3
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health identifies barriers and ensures healthcare systems develop, implement, and maintain contingency plans specific to Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery programs regarding veteran access to medications during emergencies, including long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications.
Date Issued
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Report Number
21-03734-32
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Topics: Patient Safety,Mental Health

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No. 1
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Veterans Integrated Service Network Director reviews the supervision provided to the psychiatry trainee regarding the patient’s treatment, documentation, and document control, to include electronic health records and video recordings, and determines if standards were met, and takes action as indicated.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Veterans Integrated Service Network Director reviews treatment protocols for video recorded therapy, specifically the management of patient access to recordings, and takes action as indicated.
No. 3
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Director reviews the facility leader and staff responses, including those of the supervisor and patient advocate, to ensure the patient’s concerns were adequately addressed, and takes action as indicated.
No. 4
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health conducts a review to assess the possible scope of current and former VA psychiatry residents being in possession of patients’ personal health information, to include video recorded treatment sessions and consent forms, and consults with the appropriate organizational leaders such as the Office of General Counsel on the required disposition of the recordings and forms, and takes action as needed.
No. 5
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Director ensures records control schedules, including one for video recordings, are completed for the Mental Health Department as required by Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 6
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Director reviews processes related to the utilization of video recordings, in consultation with appropriate staff, to ensure compliance with Veterans Health Administration requirements.
Date Issued
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Report Number
21-03195-189
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Topics: Patient Safety,Mental Health

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director ensures that facility practice is consistent with Veterans Health Administration and facility policy applicable to early refills of buprenorphine for patients receiving opioid agonist therapy for opioid use disorder and is consistent with evidence-based treatment and prescribing providers’ clinical rationale, ensures all relevant staff are educated on the policy, and monitors for compliance with policy.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director ensures communication between provider, pharmacist, and patient for early medication refills and monitors for compliance with Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the Opioid Safety Committee as related to buprenorphine treatment for patients with opioid use disorder, and ensures relevant staff are educated regarding the Opioid Safety Committee’s role in buprenorphine treatment.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director reviews buprenorphine prescribing provider concerns regarding the Opioid Agonist Therapy (Buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder standard operating procedure and ensures the planned revision and implementation of the standard operating procedure is consistent with evidence-based treatment and includes language that specifies allowance for clinical judgment and a patient-centered care approach.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The New Mexico VA Health Care System Director reviews prescribing provider staffing levels in accordance with the Substance Use Disorder program’s needs and facility’s plans for expanding buprenorphine treatment in other clinical areas, and develops an action plan to address recommendations, if any, from the staffing level review.
Date Issued
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Report Number
20-02186-78
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Topics: Mental Health

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Ensure program officials in collaboration with regional and local leaders address call management system data integrity issues before they use data to assess the management of referrals.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Have the program office develop formal training and guidance for coordinators on how to use patient outcome codes and regional and local leaders ensure the training is completed.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Ensure regional and local managers regularly review crisis line referral information in the electronic health records to verify coordinators are completing and documenting appropriate follow-up on referrals and the program office performs regular audits, monitors, reports upon, and initiates actions, as needed, to ensure compliance with and completion of referral follow-up.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Consider guidance within coordinators’ training tools to clarify the expectations for coordinators to follow up on referred veterans who have been hospitalized in a non-VA hospital, admitted to an emergency department (VA and non-VA), or provided a welfare check.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Have regional and local managers monitor coordinators’ call attempts to ensure they are interspersed over a three-day period and provide them with referral closure information to assist in their monitoring.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
21-01712-144
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Topics: Suicide Prevention,Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing,Mental Health

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Director ensures a comprehensive review of the Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioner’s assessment practices related to Patient 8’s suicide and homicide risk and Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health – Veterans Enhanced Treatment status; and consults with the appropriate Human Resources and General Counsel Offices to determine whether personnel action is warranted and takes action, as appropriate.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Director ensures a comprehensive review of the Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioner’s assessment and documentation practices including suicide risk assessments, assessment of antipsychotic medication health factors and side effects, informed consent for off-label medication use, resolution of rule-out diagnoses, and use of copy and paste, and provides training as needed.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Director aligns VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Memorandum TX-154, Use of Psychopharmacologic Agents, December 20, 2018, with leaders’ expectations for the assessment and documentation of abnormal involuntary movements and metabolic problems for patients prescribed an antipsychotic medication.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Director makes certain that behavioral health managers verify that all elements of the behavioral health nurse practitioner ongoing professional practice evaluation are reviewed.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Director ensures a comprehensive review of managers’ oversight of behavioral health nurse practitioners’ ongoing professional practice evaluations and consults with the appropriate Human Resources and General Counsel Offices to determine whether personnel action is warranted and takes action, as appropriate.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
21-01507-61
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Topics: Patient Safety,Mental Health

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, ensures that facility providers complete aberrant behavior risk assessments on all patients prior to initiating long-term opioid therapy.
No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, makes certain that facility providers document justification for prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently.
No. 3
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, ensures that facility providers consistently conduct urine drug testing as recommended for patients on long-term opioid therapy.
No. 4
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, makes certain that facility providers communicate problematic urine test results to patients.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, ensures that facility providers obtain and document informed consent for patients prior to initiating long-term opioid therapy.
No. 6
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, makes certain that facility providers follow up with patients within three months after initiating opioid therapy to assess adherence to the pain management plan of care and effectiveness of interventions.
No. 7
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, ensures that facilities monitor the quality of pain assessment and effectiveness of pain management interventions.
Date Issued
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Report Number
21-01682-25
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Topics: Mental Health,Care Coordination,Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics Director conducts an assessment to ensure all applicable elements of the Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics continuing care plan template are addressed when discharging residents from the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program and takes action as warranted.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics Director ensures discharges of residents from the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program occur during regular business hours in accordance with Veterans Health Administration Directive 1162.02.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics Director reviews Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics transportation policies to ensure alignment with Veterans Health Administration transportation directives, including management of the transport of residents with behavioral flags.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics Director develops a process to ensure an updated medical evaluation is conducted should the admission team be notified of a change in medical status that occurs after a veteran’s initial admission screening medical evaluation but prior to admission to the Mental Health Residential Treatment Program.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics Director completes a systematic review of residents’ falls in the shower area on the Mental Health Rehabilitation Residential Program units and takes action as warranted.
Date Issued
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Report Number
20-02907-254
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Topics: Mental Health,Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Director reviews informed treatment consent processes for the Inpatient Mental Health Unit and Community Living Center, confirms staff understanding of required processes, and monitors compliance.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Director ensures decision-making capacity evaluation completion and documentation, as required by Veterans Health Administration policy, and monitors compliance.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Director evaluates staff compliance with Veterans Health Administration and state of Alabama commitment requirements, confirms staff understanding of required processes, and consults with the Office of General Counsel regarding state law, as warranted.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Director ensures adherence to Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center policies regarding against medical advice discharge procedures, and monitors compliance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Director consults with VA National Center for Ethics in Healthcare and reconsults the Office of General Counsel as needed to evaluate the appropriateness of the patient’s assigned surrogate decision-maker, and takes action as warranted.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Director ensures staff completion of required patient advocate reporting and tracking processes, and monitors compliance.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Director evaluates the Community Living Center staff’s management of the patient’s correspondence request, including the Integrated Ethics consultation, and takes action as warranted.
Date Issued
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Report Number
20-03359-220
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Topics: Mental Health,Community Care,Care Coordination

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health requires that all community care providers authorized to provide ketamine or esketamine for treatment-resistant depression receive and review VA’s National Protocol Guidance on ketamine infusion and intranasal esketamine.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the need for conducting research on the use of ketamine and esketamine for treatment-resistant depression including the comparative efficacy of ketamine and esketamine, the effect of route of administration, therapeutic dose range, mechanism of action, and efficacy and safety of long-term treatment, and initiates research efforts as indicated.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA San Diego Healthcare System Director confirms that the facility’s Community Care Service takes timely actions to ensure that administrative processes for care authorization do not disrupt continuity of clinical care.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA San Diego Healthcare System Director makes certain that the facility’s Community Care Service processes incorporate relevant clinical service input in decisions regarding authorization, denial, or discontinuation of care.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA San Diego Healthcare System Director ensures that the facility’s Community Care Service processes incorporate a consistent mechanism for communication with Veterans Health Administration and community clinical providers and patients to facilitate well-timed coordination of care.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA San Diego Healthcare System Director monitors implementation of the coordinated, clinically informed plans for continuing care when transitioning the remaining patients from ketamine treatment in the community to care at the facility.