All Reports

Date Issued
|
Report Number
20-01994-18
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Topics:  Patient Safety ● Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing ● Military Sexual Trauma

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No. 1
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-level senior leaders, ensures that summaries of the peer review committees’ work are reviewed quarterly by medical executive committees.
No. 2
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 all applicable deaths within 24 hours of admission are peer reviewed.
No. 3
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 cardiopulmonary resuscitation committees review each resuscitative episode under the facilities’ responsibility and include required elements in reviews.
No. 4
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 focused professional practice evaluation criteria are defined in advance.
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 service chiefs include the minimum specialty criteria for focused professional practice evaluations of gastroenterology, pathology, nuclear medicine, and radiation oncology practitioners.
No. 6
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 executive committees of the medical staff document the decision to recommend continuing licensed independent practitioners’ privileges based on ongoing professional practice evaluation results.
No. 7
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 service chiefs’ privileging determinations are based, in part, on ongoing professional practice evaluation activities.
No. 8
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 ongoing professional practice evaluations use assessments by providers with similar training and privileges.
No. 9
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 facility clinical managers clearly define and share in advance the expectations, outcomes, and time frames for focused professional practice evaluations for cause with licensed independent practitioners.
No. 10
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 inventories of resources and assets that may be needed during an emergency are documented and reviewed annually.
No. 11
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 monthly and quarterly controlled substances inspection reports are reviewed at least quarterly by the facility committees responsible for quality oversight.
No. 12
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 electronic access for monitoring and performing controlled substances balance adjustments is limited to appropriate staff.
No. 13
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 controlled substances inspectors complete monthly physical inspections of controlled substances storage areas on the day initiated.
No. 14
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 controlled substances inspectors verify controlled substance orders for five randomly selected dispensing activities.
No. 15
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 controlled substances inspectors verify that drugs listed on the “Destructions File Holding Report” are secured and documented and that there is a corresponding sealed evidence bag for each medication during monthly inspections.
No. 16
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 controlled substances inspectors verify the inventory count for prescription pads on the day of monthly pharmacy inspections.
No. 17
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 controlled substances inspectors verify written controlled substances prescriptions during monthly area inspections.
No. 18
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 controlled substances inspectors verify pharmacy vault inventory at the required frequency.
No. 19
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 controlled substances inspectors complete emergency drug cache inspections that include checks for lock tampering and verification of lock numbers.
No. 20
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 clinical managers implement processes for reviewing automated drug dispensing cabinet override reports.
No. 21
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 military sexual trauma coordinators establish and monitor related training.
No. 22
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 military sexual trauma coordinators communicate related issues, services, and initiatives to facility leaders.
No. 23
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 mental health and primary care providers complete mandatory military sexual trauma training within the required time frame.
No. 24
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 clinicians provide and document education on newly prescribed medications and assess patient/caregiver understanding of the information provided.
No. 25
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 clinicians review and reconcile patients’ medications and maintain and communicate accurate medication information in electronic health records.
No. 26
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, ensure that women veterans health committees include required core members, meet at least quarterly, and report to leadership.
No. 27
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 clinical managers implement quality assurance processes that include tracking of cervical cancer screening notification and follow-up care.
No. 28
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 urgent care centers operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week have an approved waiver from the National Director of Emergency Medicine.
No. 29
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 emergency departments and urgent care centers are staffed with a minimum of two registered nurses during all hours of operation.
No. 30
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, ensure clinical managers maintain a backup call schedule for emergency department and urgent care center providers.
No. 31
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 support services, including social work, are available to emergency departments and urgent care centers during all hours of operation.
No. 32
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 facilities use appropriate signage to direct patients to emergency departments and urgent care centers.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
16-00538-282

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that VA facilities have formal processes in place for providers to access state prescription drug monitoring programs to reconcile medications dispensed by private providers and those dispensed by VA, and that this process is in compliance with the providers’ state licensing requirements.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the use of facility-specific panel readjustments or other means of increasing resources for primary care providers who manage chronic pain conditions for a significant proportion of his/her panel and takes action as appropriate.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health evaluates and determines the adequacy of the number of pain specialists at each facility through formalized assessments and takes action as appropriate.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that VA facilities without pain specialists have formalized designated resources of pain care provided by providers.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the use of pain assessment tools across the Veterans Health Administration to ensure that those tools used by facilities provide information that improves oversight to patients who are treated for chronic pain conditions.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health develops a formal evaluation of the provision of pain management services within VA to complement the Opioid Safety Initiative.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that VA’s practice of routine and random urine drug tests both prior to initiating and during take-home opioid therapy to confirm the use of opioids is in alignment with guidelines.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that opioid patients with active (not in remission) substance use disorder undergo urine drug testing and receive treatment for the substance use disorder.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health evaluates and determines that VA’s practice of prescribing and dispensing benzodiazepines concurrently with opioids is in alignment with guidelines.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that medication reconciliation is performed to prevent adverse drug interactions.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
18-01693-196

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health refines and formalizes VHA’s position categorization of individuals (clinical and nonclinical) who are necessary to VHA’s mission of delivering health care by looking at various dimensions of each occupation, including staff skill set and function, enabling identification of positions based on the specific role a person would fill.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures the consistent implementation and use of the position categorization approach across all facilities.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
15-03215-154

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that providers establish clinical signs and symptoms consistent with androgen deficiency, prior to testing patients’ testosterone level for confirmation in alignment with Veterans Health Administration guidance.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that providers biochemically confirm hypogonadism through repeated testosterone testing prior to initiation of testosterone replacement therapy in alignment with Veterans Health Administration guidance.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that providers determine whether the etiology of hypogonadism is primary or secondary, prior to testosterone replacement therapy initiation in alignment with Veterans Health Administration guidance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that providers discuss and document the risks and benefits of testosterone therapy with patients prior to initiation in alignment with Veterans Health Administration guidance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that providers assess and document patients’ symptoms improvement and adverse effects within 3–6 months of initiation before continuing testosterone replacement therapy in alignment with Veterans Health Administration guidance.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that providers monitor patients’ hematocrit levels within 3–6 months of initiation, before continuing testosterone replacement therapy in alignment with Veterans Health Administration guidance.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Under Secretary for Health ensures that providers assess and document patients’ adherence to therapy and perform testosterone level test within 3–6 months of initiation, before continuing testosterone replacement therapy in alignment with Veterans Health Administration guidance.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
15-01580-108

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA),Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
We recommended that the Executive in Charge, Office of the Under Secretary for Health and Acting Under Secretary for Benefits convene experts to develop a plan to ensure that personnel performing the traumatic brain injury Compensation and Pension examination have comprehensive training on the evaluation of traumatic brain injury, including the assessment and evaluation of cognitive disorders.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA),Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
We recommended that the Executive in Charge, Office of the Under Secretary for Health and Acting Under Secretary for Benefits convene experts to develop a plan to develop requirements for documentation of the traumatic brain injury Compensation and Pension examination process, including the basis for determinations of cognitive impairment and other residuals of traumatic brain injury.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA),Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
We recommended that the Executive in Charge, Office of the Under Secretary for Health and Acting Under Secretary for Benefits convene experts to develop a plan to consider whether to provide disability ratings to veterans with claims arising from cognitive issues based upon their clinical signs and symptoms, not primarily based upon the diagnosis or cause of their cognitive deficits (that is. traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder).
Date Issued
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Report Number
17-00936-385

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health ensure that the Veterans Health Administration implements staffing models for critical need occupations.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health review the Veterans Health Administration report on regrettable losses and implement effective measures to reduce such losses.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health continue incorporating data that predict changes in veteran demand for health care into its staffing model.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health continue assessing the Veterans Health Administration’s resources and expertise in developing staffing models and determine whether exploration of external options to develop the above staffing model is necessary.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
17-01846-316

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health require that all participating VA purchased care providers receive and review the evidence-based guidelines outlined in the Opioid Safety Initiative.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health implement a process to ensure all purchased care consults for non-VA care include a complete up-to-date list of medications and medical history until a more permanent electronic record sharing solution can be implemented.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health require non-VA providers to submit opioid prescriptions directly to a VA pharmacy for dispensing and recording of the prescriptions in the patient’s VA electronic health record.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health ensure that if facility leaders determine that a non-VA provider’s opioid prescribing practices are in conflict with Opioid Safety Initiative guidelines, immediate action is taken to ensure the safety of all veterans receiving care from the non-VA provider.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
16-01436-270

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health ensure that the Veterans Health Administration develops and implements a policy defining the purpose, responsibilities, and requirements for credentials information on the Our Doctors website.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health ensure that the Veterans Health Administration develops and implements an oversight process for accuracy of the information posted on the Our Doctors website.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
15-03303-206

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health ensure that the Office of Women’s Health Services routinely reviews and when appropriate, strengthens the requirements for women’s health provider designation and facilitates the updating of requirements for all designated women health providers with supporting documentation that details how the requirements were satisfied.
Date Issued
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Report Number
16-03808-215

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure that Suicide Prevention Coordinators provide at least five outreach activities per month and that facility managers monitor compliance.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure that clinicians complete Suicide Prevention Safety Plans for all high-risk patients, include in the plans the contact numbers of family or friends for support, and give the patient and/or caregiver a copy of the plan, and that facility managers monitor compliance.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure that when clinicians, in consultation with Suicide Prevention Coordinators, identify inpatients as at high risk for suicide, they place Patient Record Flags in the patients' electronic health records and notify the Suicide Prevention Coordinator of each patient's admission, and that facility managers monitor compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure that a Suicide Prevention Coordinator or mental health provider evaluates inpatients identified as at high risk for suicide at least four times during the first 30 days after discharge, and that facility managers monitor compliance.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure that when clinicians identify outpatients as at high risk for suicide, they review the Patient Record Flags every 90 days and document the review and their justification for continuing or discontinuing the Patient Record Flags, and that facility managers monitor compliance.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure that clinicians complete suicide risk management training within 90 days of hire and that facility managers monitor compliance.
Date Issued
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Report Number
16-03920-197

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure a medical physicist inspects computed tomography scanners after completion of repairs or modifications that affect the dose or image quality prior to returning the scanners to clinical service.
Date Issued
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Report Number
16-03743-193

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure clinical managers evaluate licensed independent practitioners’ ongoing professional performance regularly according to the frequency required by facility policy.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network managers and facility senior managers, ensure clinical managers implement the improvement actions recommended by the Peer Review Committee.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure Utilization Managers complete at least 75 percent of all required reviews and designated Physician Utilization Management Advisors document their review decisions in the Veterans Health Administration’s utilization management database.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure Patient Safety Managers enter all patient incidents into the Veterans Health Administration’s web-based patient incident database, complete the minimum number of root cause analyses, provide feedback about the root cause analyses findings to the individuals or departments who reported the incidents, and submit patient safety reports to facility leaders at least annually.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure committees and teams consistently implement and evaluate corrective actions from quality, safety, and value activities.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
16-03985-181

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health implement an automated transcription function for callers’ phone numbers in the Veterans Crisis Line call documentation recording system.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health ensure that Veterans Crisis Line policies and procedures, staff education, Information Technology support, and monitoring are in place for audio call recording.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health implement a Veterans Crisis Line governance structure that ensures cooperation and collaboration between VHA Member Services and the Office of Suicide Prevention.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health develop clear guidelines that delineate clinical and administrative decision-making, assuring that clinical staff make decisions directly affecting clinical care of veterans in accordance with sound clinical practice.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health ensure processes are in place for routinely reviewing backup center data, establish wait-time targets for call queuing and rollover, and ensure plans are in place for corrective action when wait-time targets are exceeded.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health ensure processes are in place to require contracted backup centers to have the same standards as the Veterans Crisis Line related to call queuing and wait-time targets.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health ensure that VHA Member Services leadership, Veterans Crisis Line leadership, VHA Contracting Officers, and Contracting Officer Representatives implement the quality control plan and conduct ongoing oversight to ensure contractor accountability in accordance with their roles as specified in the contract with backup call centers.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health ensure that training is provided to Veterans Crisis Line quality management staff in the skills needed to provide leadership to promote quality and safety of care.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health ensure the development of structured oversight processes for tracking, trending, and reporting of clinical quality performance measures.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health ensure processes for Veterans Crisis Line quality management staff to collect and review adverse outcomes so that established cohorts of severe adverse outcomes are analyzed.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health direct the Veterans Health Administration Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Quality, Safety, and Value to review existing Veterans Crisis Line policies and determine whether the policies incorporate the appropriate Veterans Health Administration policies for veteran safety and risk management, and if not, establish appropriate action plans.
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health ensure that Veterans Crisis Line quality management staff incorporate call audio recording into quality management data analysis.
No. 13
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health ensure that processes are in place to analyze performance and quality data from the Atlanta Call Center separately from the Canandaigua Call Center data.
No. 14
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health ensure that quality assurance monitoring policies and procedures are in place and consistent for both Social Service Assistants and responders.
No. 15
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health ensure that supervisors certify Social Service Assistant training prior to engaging in independent assistance with rescues.
No. 16
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health ensure a process is in place to establish, maintain, distribute, and educate staff on all Veterans Crisis Line policies and directives that includes verifying the use of current versions when policies and directives are modified.
Date Issued
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Report Number
16-03805-20

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure that facilities revise discharge policies to include encouraging physicians to schedule discharges early in the day.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure that facilities develop or revise policies addressing overflow patients in temporary bed locations and include priority placement for inpatient beds given to patients in temporary bed locations, upholding standard of care while patients are in temporary bed locations, medication administration, and meal provision.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensure that when resident physicians complete discharge notes or instructions, supervising physicians co-sign the residents’ notes.
Date Issued
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Report Number
15-04247-111

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health implement procedures to ensure that facilities comply with Veterans Health Administration Directive 1031 requirements, including the completion of annual evaluations, designation of provider and pharmacy champions, staff education, and the provision of adequate dedicated staffing and resources.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health require that Veterans Health Administration facilities track and generate clinical outcome reports on antibiotic use.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health consider implementing standardized tools and definitions for antimicrobial stewardship data and a uniform reporting system to permit analysis of comparable information over time.
Date Issued
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Report Number
16-00351-453

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We restated our previous recommendation that the Under Secretary for Health ensure that the Veterans Health Administration develops staffing models for critical need occupations, and we further recommend that the Veterans Health Administration sets forth milestones and a timetable for further critical need occupations’ staffing model development, piloting, and implementation.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We restated our previous recommendation that the Under Secretary for Health review data on regrettable losses and consider implementing measures to reduce such losses.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health consider incorporating data that predicts changes in veteran demand for health care into its staffing model.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health assess the Veterans Health Administration’s resources and expertise in developing staffing models and determine whether exploration of external options to develop the above staffing model is necessary.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
15-03063-511

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health ensure that the Veterans Health Administration further develops staffing models for critical need occupations.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health review the data on regrettable losses in this report and Veterans Integrated Service Network Workforce Succession Strategic Plans and, if appropriate, consider implementing measures to reduce such losses.
Date Issued
|
Report Number
15-01579-457

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Mental Health Services liaison with internal and external entities regarding standardized data collection from screening processes to core outcome measures to improve program monitoring and by which Mental Health Services can develop collaborative treatment initiatives.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Mental Health Services ensure system-wide use of the 596 stop code.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Mental Health Services review the consistency of current processes and provides specific guidance on reducing inflow of contraband into residential substance use treatment programs.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Mental Health Services consider requiring programs to document patients' physical status in addition to presence when completing physical bed checks.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Mental Health Services clarify the intent of the requirement for and use of closed circuit television with respect to residential substance use programs.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Mental Health Services review and evaluate whether reversal agents such as naloxone are readily available at each residential substance use treatment program.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Mental Health Services encourage more widespread incorporation of programming with a specialized focus on mental health comorbidities.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Mental Health Services encourage discussion of addiction focused pharmacotherapy with residential substance use treatment program patients.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Mental Health Services ensure that active mental health comorbidities are addressed in residential substance use rehabilitation treatment program interdisciplinary treatment plans.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Mental Health Services ensure documentation of post-discharge aftercare appointment arrangements for mental health comorbidities.