Audit of VHA's Physician Staffing Levels for Specialty Care Services

OIG assessed whether VHA has an effective methodology for determining physician staffing levels for 33 of VHA’s specialty care services. Audits and inspections continue to identify the need for VHA to improve their staffing methodology by implementing productivity standards. Public Law mandates VA establish a nationwide policy to ensure medical facilities have adequate staff to provide appropriate, high-quality care and services. We found VHA did not have an effective staffing methodology to ensure appropriate staffing levels for specialty care services. Specifically, VHA did not establish productivity standards for all specialties and VA medical facility management did not develop staffing plans. This occurred because there is a lack of agreement within VHA on how to develop a methodology to measure productivity, and current VHA policy does not provide sufficient guidance on developing medical facility staffing plans. The Under Secretary for Health agreed with our finding and recommendations.