All Reports

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00240-17
|
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
Open Recommendation Image, Square
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
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 consider relevant Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation data in reprivileging recommendations.

No. 5
Open Recommendation Image, Square
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
Open Recommendation Image, Square
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
|
Report Number
22-03599-07
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Topics:  Patient Safety

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

The Phoenix VA Health Care System Director ensures that providers are educated on conducting clinical disclosures and documenting the discussion in the patient’s electronic health record when harm is determined to be more than minor.

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

The Phoenix VA Health Care System Director evaluates quality management practices that impede the timeliness of institutional disclosures, and ensures the current practices are in alignment with Veterans Health Administration policy, and takes action as warranted.

No. 3
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Phoenix VA Health Care System Director confirms that the Peer Review Committee record formal discussions in meeting minutes, including discussion specific to changes in rating levels in accordance with Veterans Health Administration policy, and monitors compliance.

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

The Phoenix VA Health Care System Director makes certain adverse events or close calls are entered into the Joint Patient Safety Reporting system and the facility patient safety manager completes reviews, assigns a safety assessment code score, and conducts root cause analyses in accordance with Veterans Health Administration policy, and monitors compliance.

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

The Phoenix VA Health Care System Director evaluates the process for the communication of abnormal test results to patients and ensures that ordering providers or designees provide timely notification to patients in a manner that informs patients of the results in accordance with Veterans Health Administration policy, and monitors compliance.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-01540-146
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Topics:  Patient Safety ● Suicide Prevention

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

The VA St. Louis Health Care System Director conducts a fact-finding investigation asnecessary to determine whether the chief of the Emergency Department’s conduct wasinconsistent with VA policy and federal regulations and takes action as appropriate.

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

The VA St. Louis Health Care System Director establishes a standardized process for theadministration of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale by Emergency Department staff topatients to maintain the integrity of the suicide risk screen.

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

The VA St. Louis Health Care System Director establishes a formal policy outliningexpectations for the monitoring of patients by Emergency Department nursing staff after triage.

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

The VA St. Louis Health Care System Director ensures root cause analyses and administrativeinvestigations are conducted efficiently and effectively if chartered for the same event as perVeterans Health Administration policy.

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

The VA St. Louis Health Care System Director ensures that institutional disclosures arecompleted within the time frame required by the Veterans Health Administration.

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

The VA St. Louis Health Care System Director ensures compliance with the Veterans HealthAdministration requirement for reporting healthcare professionals to the appropriate statelicensing board when indicated.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00051-136
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Topics:  Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing ● Patient Safety

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

The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures leaders conduct institutional disclosures for all applicable sentinel events.

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

The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures the Protected Peer Review Committee recommends improvement actions for all Level 3 peer reviews.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures the Medical Executive Board reviews the Protected Peer Review Committee’s summary analysis quarterly.
No. 4
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 establish service-specific criteria for professional practice evaluations.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Executive Director determines the reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff conduct environment of care inspections in patient care areas at the required frequency.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Executive Director determines the reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff post signage to indicate areas that are subject to video recording.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00062-139
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Topics:  Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing ● Patient Safety

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

The Director evaluates and determines additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures leaders evaluate sentinel events and conduct institutional disclosures when criteria are met.

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

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures practitioners with similar training and privileges complete Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations of licensed independent practitioners.

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

The Associate Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures electrical receptacles and switches in the mental health unit are covered by metal plates, secured by tamper-resistant screws, and receptacles are flush to the wall.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-02725-132
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Topics:  Patient Safety

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

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director reviews processes in place to ensure proper response to future medical emergencies in outpatient clinics to include staff training, emergency notification systems, and emergency documentation processes.

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

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director reviews the process for and compliance with documentation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in outpatient clinic settings, and takes action as indicated.

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

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director works with outpatient clinic leaders to ensure that all deficiencies identified in the after-action plan are completed and that compliance is monitored.

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

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director consults with Office of General Counsel’s Regional Counsel to review the incident and determine if an institutional disclosure is warranted and takes action accordingly.

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

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director completes an evaluation of staffs’ understanding of advance care planning, advance directives, and life-sustaining treatment decision processes, and takes action to address identified gaps.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-03483-133
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Topics:  Patient Safety

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

The West Texas VA Health Care System Director ensures that community living center nursing staff are trained on their roles, responsibilities, and necessary actions when responding to a medical emergency.

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

The West Texas VA Health Care System Director certifies that mock codes are completed within the community living center at regular intervals and include all community living center nursing staff.

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

The West Texas VA Health Care System Director ensures that documentation requirements are met by community living center clinical staff and monitors compliance.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00046-126
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Topics:  Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing ● Patient Safety

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No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures the Executive Leadership Board recommends, implements, and monitors improvement actions.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures the Protected Peer Review Committee recommends improvement actions for Level 3 peer reviews.
No. 3
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff either conduct an individual root cause analysis for all events receiving an actual or potential safety assessment code score of three or include the events in an aggregated review.
No. 4
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Chief of Staff determines the reasons for noncompliance and ensures providers with similar training and privileges complete licensed independent practitioners’ Focused Professional Practice Evaluations.
No. 5
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 recommend licensed independent practitioners’ continued privileges based on Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation activities.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Assistant Director determines the additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff maintain, inspect, and test biomedical equipment according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
No. 7
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Associate Director and Associate Director, Patient Care Services evaluate and determine any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensure staff remove supplies from shipping cartons and corrugated boxes prior to putting them in clean storage areas.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00040-115
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Topics:  Patient Safety ● Suicide Prevention ● Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing

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

The Director determines the reasons for noncompliance and ensures leaders evaluate adverse events and conduct institutional disclosures when criteria are met.

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

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures service chiefs consider service-specific Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation data when recommending licensed independent practitioners’ continued privileges.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff conduct follow-up within one week for intermediate, high-acute, or chronic risk-for-suicide patients who were discharged home from the emergency department.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
21-03312-114
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Topics:  Patient Safety ● Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing

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

The Executive Director determines the reasons for noncompliance and ensures leaders conduct institutional disclosures for all applicable sentinel events.

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

The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff complete final peer reviews within 120 calendar days or approves a written extension request.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Executive Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures that for all patient safety events assigned an actual or potential safety assessment code score of three, the Patient Safety Manager conducts an individual root cause analysis or includes the events in an aggregate review.
No. 4
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 use Focused Professional Practice Evaluation criteria that are defined in advance and accepted by the practitioners.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures the Medical Executive Committee reviews professional practice evaluations for licensed independent practitioners’ privileging requests and documents the review in meeting minutes.

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

The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures service chiefs establish service-specific criteria for reprivileging decisions.

No. 7
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 recommend reprivileging based, in part, on Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations completed by practitioners with similar training and privileges.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Deputy Health System Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff identify and minimize physical environmental risks to reduce suicide or suicide attempts in acute inpatient mental health units.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-01116-110
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Topics:  Suicide Prevention ● Patient Safety

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

The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director ensures primary care teams adhere to Veterans Health Administration policies related to mental health screenings, consult management, and care coordination, and monitors compliance.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director reviews processes for consult scheduling, including community care referrals, and ensures patients are offered timely appointments in the pain management clinic, per Veterans Health Administration policies.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director confirms pain management clinic staff receive education of Veterans Health Administration policies related to mandatory suicide risk assessments.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director develops a process to ensure that Emergency Department staff communicate patients’ referral information from the Veterans Crisis Line to Emergency Department providers.

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

The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director ensures that suicide prevention staff documentation is complete and accurate, and actions are taken to resolve issues identified in Veterans Crisis Line referrals prior to closure.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director reviews Veterans Health Administration policy and guidance regarding completed suicides on VA campuses and actions required as a result, and provides education to relevant staff.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director ensures completion of accurate and comprehensive Behavioral Health Autopsies and Family Interview Tool Contact forms.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director reviews and evaluates the peer review process to ensure peer reviews are conducted according to Veterans Health Administration policy.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director reviews and evaluates the February 2022 clinical review to identify open actions and monitors the implementation and efficacy of action items to closure.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-01594-86
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Topics:  Care Coordination ● Patient Safety

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

The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System Director ensures that pulmonary providers communicate and document test results and surveillance care plans to patients.

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

The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System Director ensures that pulmonary providers and staff are trained on the use of return-to-clinic orders and monitors for compliance.

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

The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System Director ensures that chiropractor providers review community care notes and takes action as needed.

Date Issued
|
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
|
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
|
Report Number
22-00031-67
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Topics:  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 confirms that a process is in place to review all Joint Patient Safety Reporting event reports for completion within 14 days of submission and monitor progress.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Director ensures event report investigation and feedback documentation has been fully completed in the Joint Patient Safety Reporting system.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Director reviews the risk associated with the Joint Patient Safety Reporting event reports managed by the former Patient Safety Manager, including those that were rejected and those without completed investigations, to determine whether they warrant further review and if so, ensures the review is completed and actions required resulting from the review are completed.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Director reviews the organizational structure and process for oversight of the eight annually required patient safety analyses to ensure they are completed and validated moving forward in accordance with Veterans Health Administration requirements.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health reviews the current process for providing access to the Joint Patient Safety Reporting system and WebSPOT to determine whether any specific staff positions would benefit from automatic access upon hire into the position.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health conducts an evaluation to determine whether Veterans Health Administration employees with active clinical licenses regardless of licensure requirement for their current position must report State Licensing Board actions against their clinical license to their supervisor.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Director conducts a review of current fiscal year High Reliability Organization Committee and Executive Leadership Council meeting minutes to confirm that they reflect discussion, analysis, and needed follow-up of Patient Safety Program data for review and action.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Veterans Integrated Service Network Director reviews the JPSR Business Rules and Guidebook and determines which, if any, subset of patient safety event reports for each facility the Patient Safety Officer will review.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Veterans Integrated Service Network Director evaluates the role of the Patient Safety/ Risk Management Subcommittee to determine the degree to which the subcommittee will address facility level performance with Patient Safety Program activities and tracking of action plans when a deficiency is identified, and updates the subcommittee charter as warranted.

No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that policies related to patient safety are updated to reflect current required practice, publishes, and disseminates the updated policy (ies).
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the process for programmatic oversight by VA’s National Center for Patient Safety over Veterans Integrated Service Networks’ and facilities’ patient safety programs.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
21-02612-53
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Topics:  Care Coordination ● Patient Safety

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

The Overton Brooks VA Medical Center Director evaluates the processes for the communication of abnormal radiology imaging results and ensures patients receive timely notification, per Veterans Health Administration and facility requirements.

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

The Overton Brooks VA Medical Center Director ensures oversee all clinical decisions and documentation made by residents and the oversight is reflected within the documentation.

No. 3
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Overton Brooks VA Medical Center Director reviews the processes for assigning a provider surrogate and monitors compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Overton Brooks VA Medical Center Director ensures that concerns are entered into the Joint Patient Safety Reporting System and appropriate follow-up is completed.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-01341-43
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Topics:  Patient Safety ● Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing

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

The Rocky Mountain Network Director reviews facility staff’s actions taken in response to the allegations and concerns related to the patients identified in this report to ensure Veterans Health Administration and facility requirements were met including Montana elder abuse reporting requirements, and takes actions, such as reporting, disciplinary actions, peer reviews, and consultation with the Office of General Counsel, as needed.

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

The Montana VA Healthcare System Director ensures that the rights of community living center patients to refuse treatments or procedures are acknowledged and documented according to Veterans Health Administration requirements, and staff are educated on and adhere to the rights, as needed.

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

The Montana VA Healthcare System Director reviews the nursing care provided to the identified patient with respect to quality of care, including adhering to the patient’s care plan, and reporting and documenting status changes, and takes actions as indicated.

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

The Montana VA Healthcare System Director reviews the physician’s care provided to the identified patient with respect to quality of care, including documenting and reporting status changes and concerns, and takes actions as indicated.

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

The Montana VA Healthcare System Director reviews community living center screening and admission evaluation processes and ensures that the processes, including documentation of admissions decisions, roles, and responsibilities are established to meet the care needs of prospective patients, and are communicated with applicable staff, as needed.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Montana VA Healthcare System Director reviews the patient’s acute care, including actions to address medical recommendations, and takes actions as indicated.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Montana VA Healthcare System Director ensures state licensing board processes related to the mistreatment incidents identified in this report are reviewed, deficiencies identified, and compliance processes completed.

Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-01668-45
|
Topics:  Patient Safety

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

The VA Maryland Health Care System Director ensures that Emergency Department providers conduct comprehensive clinical assessments and address patients’ presenting complaints.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Maryland Health Care System Director evaluates the process of clinical consultation for Emergency Department physician assistants and takes action as necessary.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Maryland Health Care System Director evaluates the status of action plans set forth in the facility’s review of the patient care from the second visit and institutional disclosure, monitoring the implementation and efficacy of action items to closure.
No. 4
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to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Maryland Health Care System Director evaluates and strengthens the process to ensure that problem lists reflect current and active diagnoses, and takes action as necessary.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
22-00707-44
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Topics:  Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The North Las Vegas Medical Center Director ensures, through training and observation, that the primary care provider is competent completing and documenting primary care VA Video Connect visits.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The North Las Vegas Medical Center Director considers taking administrative action in relation to the primary care provider, as appropriate.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The North Las Vegas Medical Center Director considers the need to initiate reporting the primary care provider to the state licensing board and takes action as necessary.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The North Las Vegas Medical Center Director ensures a review is conducted of the primary care provider’s electronic health record documentation in order to determine if blood pressure entries other than 120/80 are false and takes action as necessary.

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

The North Las Vegas Medical Center Director ensures that any identified false blood pressures are amended in the electronic health record in accordance with Veterans Health Administration policy.

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
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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
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
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
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
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.