Combined Assessment Program Review of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California

The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we provided fraud and integrity awareness training to 1,152 employees. The review covered seven operational activities. We also followed up on recommendations from a report by the Veterans Health Administration’s Office of the Medical Inspector. The health care system complied with selected standards in the following four areas: (1) emergency department (ED) operations, (2) environment of care, (3) patient satisfaction survey scores, and (4) staffing. We highlighted positive accomplishments in achieving the highest aggregate scores for quality, incorporating a valuable electronic patient tracking system in the ED, adopting an effective residency program for new registered nurse graduates, and implementing an effective post-operative pneumonia prevention program.