Combined Assessment Program Summary Report - Management of Workplace Violence in Veterans Health Administration Facilities

OIG completed an evaluation of the management of workplace violence (WPV) in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. The purpose of the evaluation was to determine the extent to which VHA facilities managed violent incidents. OIG conducted this review at 29 facilities during Combined Assessment Program reviews performed from April 1–September 30, 2011, and identified six areas where VHA needed to strengthen requirements and facilities needed to improve compliance. OIG recommended that VHA’s comprehensive national guidance for managing WPV be formalized in a directive(s) or a handbook and that policy development include formalizing comprehensive national guidance for managing WPV that establishes procedures for managing disruptive or violent behavior by employees and others. OIG also recommended that facility managers monitor compliance with VHA policy related to WPV programs and management of disruptive behavior; that facilities periodically assess all work areas for risk of violence; that facilities provide specialized WPV prevention training to employees who work in high-risk areas, assess competence annually, and provide refresher training; and that facilities provide specialized WPV prevention training to all supervisors, assess competence annually, and provide refresher training.