All Reports

Pharmacists’ Practices Delayed Buprenorphine Refills for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder at the New Mexico VA Health Care System in Albuquerque
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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.
Suicide Prevention Coordinators Need Improved Training, Guidance, and Oversight
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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.
Deficiencies in a Behavioral Health Provider’s Documentation and Assessments, and Oversight of Nurse Practitioners at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System in Pennsylvania
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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.

Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Summary Report: Evaluation of Medication Management in Veterans Health Administration Facilities, Fiscal Year 2020
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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
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 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.
Inadequate Care Coordination for a Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program Resident in VISN 20, Oregon
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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.
Deficiencies in Administrative Actions for a Patient’s Inpatient Mental Health Unit and Community Living Center Admissions at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center in Alabama
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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.
Deficiencies in Coordination of Care for Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression at the VA San Diego Healthcare System in California
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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.
Deficiencies in COVID-19 Screening and Facility Response for a Patient Who Died at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas
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20-03635-217
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Topics:  COVID-19 ● Mental Health ● Patient Safety

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Director evaluates the visitor standard operating procedures for patients who require mental or behavioral health support during COVID-19 screening, and takes action as needed.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Director ensures that clinical staff screen and manage suspected COVID-19 patients according to Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Integrated Service Network 16 guidelines and Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center policies.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Director monitors compliance with the Veterans Health Administration requirement for Mental Health Intensive Case Management staff to identify and accurately document patients’ surrogates.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Director strengthens processes to ensure Mental Health Intensive Case Management staff inform patients, families, and other support persons on the procedures for accessing medical and mental health care while navigating the COVID-19 screening and testing process, including visitor policies.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Director ensures clinical and non-clinical staff comply with Veterans Health Administration and Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center policies on missing and at-risk patients.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Director monitors compliance with Veterans Health Administration policies related to timeliness and reporting of adverse events to the patient safety manager.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Director ensures that issue briefs are initiated timely and are comprehensive, accurate, and updated as appropriate.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Director ensures leaders complete root cause analyses within 45 days of leaders’ awareness of applicable adverse events.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Director consults with the VA Office of General Counsel regarding the accuracy and content of the institutional disclosure to the subject patient’s family, and takes action as appropriate.
Deficiencies in the Management of a Patient’s Reported Intimate Partner Violence, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina
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20-03763-207
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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 Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Director ensures mental health staff consult with the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program and safety plan, as warranted to address Intimate Partner Violence.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Director ensures Inpatient Mental Health Unit resident physicians complete timely clinical documentation in accordance with Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Policy.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Director makes certain staff consult with the Office of General Counsel to determine reporting requirements of Intimate Partner Violence, as appropriate.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health establishes clear guidance related to Intimate Partner Violence training requirements.
Deficiencies in Mental Health Care Coordination and Administrative Processes for a Patient Who Died by Suicide, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina
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20-02368-202
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Topics:  Mental Health ● Care Coordination ● Suicide Prevention

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Director ensures adherence to Veterans Health Administration policy in the renewal review of patients’ high risk for suicide patient record flag, and monitors compliance.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Director evaluates compliance with Mental Health Treatment Coordinator assignment requirements, and takes action to address identified deficiencies as indicated.
No. 3
Not Implemented Recommendation Image, X character'
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Director reviews the patient’s care to include staff’s adherence to “Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health–Veterans Enhanced Treatment” program requirements and appropriate outreach, consults with Human Resources and General Counsel Offices, and takes action as warranted.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Director ensures that Mental Health Service staff complete patients’ suicide risk screenings and assessments as required by the Veterans Health Administration, and monitors compliance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Director evaluates procedures for non-clinical staff to notify appropriate leaders of patient deaths by suicide, and takes action as needed.
Deficiencies in the Mental Health Care of a Patient who Died by Suicide and Failure to Complete an Institutional Disclosure, VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System in Las Vegas
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20-02993-181
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Topics:  Mental Health ● Suicide Prevention ● 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 ensures completion of suicide risk screening and evaluation in accordance with Veterans Health Administration requirements.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director makes certain that Inpatient Mental Health Unit staff collaboratively develop and update safety plans with patients to reflect the patient’s current risk and protective factors.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director ensures adherence to Veterans Health Administration requirements and VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Standard Operating Procedure 116-14, Suicide Prevention Daily Operations, October 2019, in the consideration of high risk for suicide patient record flags.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director evaluates substance use disorder diagnostic and treatment referral processes for patients on the Inpatient Mental Health Unit and takes action as warranted.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director reviews current practices to ensure Inpatient Mental Health Unit staff reconcile and incorporate critical clinical information into treatment and discharge planning.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director expedites the establishment of mental health treatment coordinator policy in accordance with Veterans Health Administration requirements.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director makes certain that Inpatient Mental Health Unit staff coordinate discharge plans with outpatient treatment providers, in accordance with Veterans Health Administration requirements.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director ensures patient complaints and requests are addressed in accordance with Veterans Health Administration requirements.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director promotes leaders’ accurate identification of sentinel events consistent with The Joint Commission definition and Veterans Health Administration requirements.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Director conducts a full review of the patient’s care, determines whether an institutional disclosure is warranted, and takes action as indicated.
Deficiencies in Emergency Preparedness for Veterans Health Administration Telemental Health Care at VA Clinic Locations Prior to the Pandemic
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19-09808-171
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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 Under Secretary for Health ensures the Office of Connected Care Telehealth Services and the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention collaborate to develop a consistent process for facility implementation of telehealth emergency plans tailored for telehealth care and the patient-clinic locations that are inclusive of procedures addressing mental health and medical emergencies and technological disruptions during telemental health care.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health verifies the Office of Connected Care Telehealth Services reviews and implements oversight of telehealth emergency plan processes to include expectations for updating and monitoring.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health confirms the Office of Connected Care Telehealth Services develops consistent processes for healthcare systems to define and communicate individual telehealth staff responsibilities during telehealth emergencies, specific to the patient-clinic locations.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures the Office of Connected Care Telehealth Services has a consistent process for healthcare systems to develop, maintain and communicate accurate, patient-clinic location specific telehealth emergency contact information to all telehealth staff, to include remote providers.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health collaborates with the Office of Connected Care Telehealth Services to develop a streamlined process to report patient safety events specific to telehealth that clearly identifies the setting and specific service line to allow tracking, trending, and monitoring.
Drug Interactions Related to a Patient Death, Marion VA Medical Center in Illinois
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20-03380-136
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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 Marion VA Medical Center Director ensures that behavioral health staff provide, and document patient education including discussion of side effects and possible adverse drug-drug interactions during telephone encounters when medications are added or adjusted and monitors compliance.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Marion VA Medical Center Director confirms that behavioral health providers are communicating test results to patients and providing necessary clinical interventions as required by policy.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Marion VA Medical Center Director monitors implementation of Phase Four of the Psychotropic Drug Safety Initiative.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Marion VA Medical Center Director ensures that primary care providers enter return-to-clinic orders and monitors compliance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Marion VA Medical Center Director verifies primary care and behavioral health staff document contacts, attempted contacts, and letters sent when patients missed their appointments and monitors compliance.
Deficiencies in Community Living Center Practices and the Death of a Patient Following Elopement from the Chillicothe VA Medical Center in Ohio
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20-01523-102
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Topics:  Mental Health ● Patient Safety ● VA Police

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Veterans Integrated Service Network Director consults with the VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to review the classification and commitment of patients to the long-stay mental health recovery unit in the facility’s community living center, and makes recommendations to ensure the provision of safe mental health care to patients at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Veterans Integrated Service Network Director conducts a comprehensive review of the patient’s calendar year 2019 mental health care, including psychiatric care and medication management, and makes recommendations to the facility, if indicated.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Chillicothe VA Medical Center Director establishes a review process to ensure that community living center assessments clearly align the service offerings of the community living center with the individual needs of patients.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Chillicothe VA Medical Center Director ensures development of a process to address the care needs of patients who are determined inappropriate for community living center admission.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Chillicothe VA Medical Center Director establishes a review process to ensure that community living center care plans are consistent with applicable Veterans Health Administration policy and communicated to the community living center staff caring for patients.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Chillicothe VA Medical Center Director ensures all community living center long-stay mental health recovery unit staff receive mental health training and pass competency evaluations to provide care specific to the needs of the population served.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Chillicothe VA Medical Center Director ensures that all facility staff are trained on, and comply with, the facility policy concerning patient behavior management.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Chillicothe VA Medical Center Director ensures that all facility community living center staff report near-miss and actual missing patient events to patient safety staff and monitors for compliance.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Chillicothe VA Medical Center Director ensures that patient safety staff review reported events for patterns or trends indicating risks to patients with a need for mitigation and confirms that effective mitigation strategies are initiated.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Chillicothe VA Medical Center Director ensures all facility community living center staff receive initial orientation on how to prevent and respond to missing patient events, activating all alerts and involving all relevant staff, as required.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Chillicothe VA Medical Center Director reviews the facility’s policy on missing patients, ensures that it clearly outlines actions staff should take to prevent missing patient events, and verifies that relevant staff are trained and knowledgeable about such actions.
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Chillicothe VA Medical Center Director ensures that VA police officers receive training and resources to provide missing patient alerts to all facility staff and appropriate law enforcement agencies.
Deficiencies in Care and Administrative Processes for a Patient Who Died by Suicide, Phoenix VA Health Care System, Arizona
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20-02667-93
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Topics:  Mental Health ● Suicide Prevention ● Community Care

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Phoenix VA Health Care System Director conducts a full review of the patient’s care to determine if administrative action is warranted, consulting with Human Resources and General Counsel offices as appropriate.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Phoenix VA Health Care System Director ensures that staff complete suicide risk assessments consistent with Veterans Health Administration and Phoenix VA Health Care System policies.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Phoenix VA Health Care System Director ensures timely and accurate completion of electronic health record documentation.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Phoenix VA Health Care System Director evaluates the community care psychology consult authorization timeliness and takes action as warranted.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Phoenix VA Health Care System Director conducts a review of Primary Care Clinic missed appointment procedures and ensures patient follow-up and staff training, as appropriate.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Phoenix VA Health Care System Director evaluates scheduling accuracy of mental health community care psychology consults and takes action as appropriate.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Phoenix VA Health Care System Director ensures timely completion of behavioral health autopsies, consistent with Veterans Health Administration policy, and monitors for ongoing compliance.
Deficiencies in Inpatient Mental Health Care Coordination and Processes Prior to a Patient’s Death by Suicide, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia, Missouri
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20-01521-48
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Topics:  Mental Health ● Care Coordination ● Suicide Prevention

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital Director strengthens the processes for collaboration between Inpatient Mental Health Unit staff and Vet Center providers for shared patients including for collateral information and discharge planning.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital Director ensures that Inpatient Mental Health Unit staff collaboratively develop safety plans with patients, including asking the patient directly about access to lethal means.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital Director continues to monitor the communication of suicide risk assessment results in the hand-off process across clinical settings and takes action as necessary.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital Director monitors compliance with Mental Health Treatment Coordinator standard operating procedures to ensure that Inpatient Mental Health Unit staff assign a Mental Health Treatment Coordinator, as required.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital Director ensures that issue briefs are comprehensive and accurate.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital Director conducts a full review of the patient’s final episode of care and determines whether an institutional disclosure is warranted.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health disseminates written guidance broadly to Veterans Health Administration stakeholders to ensure that Vet Center staff are included in the root cause analysis process for suicide-related events of shared patients.
Deficiencies in Care and Excessive Use of Restraints for a Patient Who Died at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia
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19-08106-273
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Topics:  Patient Safety ● Mental Health ● Care Coordination

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director conducts a full review of the patient’s final episode of care and determines whether an institutional disclosure is warranted.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director conducts a full review of the patient’s final episode of care and consults with the appropriate Human Resources and General Counsel Offices to determine whether any personnel actions are warranted.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director ensures Emergency Department and Inpatient Medical Unit staff performs vital sign assessment and monitors patients who received sedating medications.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director ensures Intensive Care Unit nurses accurately document medication administration.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director ensures Intensive Care Unit staff implement patient restraint management according to the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center policy, including documentation, physician orders, and education requirements.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director ensures Intensive Care Unit nursing staff communicate with providers regarding patients’ refusal of treatment.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director strengthens Inpatient Medical Unit nicotine replacement therapy processes and monitors compliance.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director strengthens processes to include the patient, family members, or surrogate in informed consent procedures and treatment decisions, as appropriate, and monitors compliance.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director evaluates the inpatient mental health consult process, and addresses timeliness and completion of decision-making capacity consult requests, and monitors compliance.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director consults with the Office of General Counsel regarding policies related to the management of patients presenting under a Form 1013 and advises policy and practices consistent with Georgia State mental health laws and takes action, as appropriate.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director ensures staff adhere to inter-facility transfer policies and procedures, including accurate communication of patients’ restraint management status, and monitors compliance.
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director ensures that a consultation liaison psychiatrist is included on code gray teams at both divisions.
No. 13
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director evaluates inpatient mental health consult staffing and establishes a plan to ensure adequate staffing to complete consult requests as required without outpatient mental health appointment cancellations and monitors compliance.
No. 14
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director establishes consistent urgency levels in the applicable Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center policies and the corresponding mental health consult template.
No. 15
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director establishes consistent urgency levels in the applicable Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center policies and the corresponding mental health consult template.
No. 16
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director ensures that the Disruptive Behavior Committee reviews patient record flags and provides input into patients’ management to mitigate violence, as required by Veterans Health Administration, and monitors compliance.
No. 17
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director makes certain that staff receive education in code gray policy and procedures, including completion of the code gray evaluation form, and monitors compliance.
No. 18
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Director ensures that the Disruptive Behavior Committee provides oversight of the code gray team activities, as required by Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center policy, and monitors compliance.
Inadequate Inpatient Psychiatry Staffing and Noncompliance with Inpatient Mental Health Levels of Care at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System in Leeds
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19-09669-236
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Topics:  Mental Health ● Staffing

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System Director ensures adequate psychiatry staffing to afford providers adequate time for direct patient care on the acute and subacute inpatient mental health units.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System Director provides ongoing monitoring and evaluation of acute and subacute unit medical provider staffing.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System Director ensures that the utilization management plan accurately reflects and is compliant with all Veterans Health Administration requirements.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System Director makes certain medical officers on duty complete inpatient mental health admission medical clearance assessments in accordance with Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System and Veterans Health Administration policies.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System Director makes certain that recovery-oriented programming occurs as scheduled and consists of at least four hours per day.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA New England Health Care System Director develops business plans for restructuring of clinical programs to include transitioning sustained treatment and rehabilitation beds, subacute unit beds, and specialized inpatient posttraumatic stress disorder beds as required by the Veterans Health Administration.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System Director consults with Veterans Integrated Service Network 1 leaders to determine and implement a process to monitor clinical appropriateness for patients in all inpatient mental health beds, including sustained treatment and rehabilitation beds until restructuring of clinical programs is complete.
Deficiencies in the Administration of Emergent Mental Health Services at Coatesville VA Medical Center, Pennsylvania
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19-08374-112
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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 Under Secretary for Health ensures the clarification of policy regarding emergent mental health services extension request procedures including expected timeframes and patient notification processes.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health expedites the establishment of policy regarding follow-up of patients identified by the Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health –Veterans Enhanced Treatment program and no longer receiving Veterans Health Administration services.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Coatesville VA Medical Center Director ensures compliance with the 90-day emergent mental health services extension request policies and procedures, as required by the Veterans Health Administration.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Coatesville VA Medical Center Director evaluates the Grant and Per Diem Program medical emergency procedures, seeks consultation with relevant subject matter experts including IntegratedEthics®, and takes action as appropriate.
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