Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the Beckley VA Medical Center in West Virginia

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
23-00117-108
VISN
5
State
West Virginia
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Report Topic
Medical Staff Privileging Credentialing
Mental Health
Suicide Prevention
Major Management Challenges
Healthcare Services
Recommendations
3
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary

This Office of Inspector General (OIG) Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program report describes the results of a focused evaluation of the quality of care delivered in the inpatient and outpatient settings of the Beckley VA Medical Center, which includes two outpatient clinics in West Virginia. This evaluation focused on five key operational areas:
•    Leadership and organizational risks
•    Quality, safety, and value
•    Medical staff privileging
•    Environment of care
•    Mental health (suicide prevention initiatives)

The OIG issued three recommendations for improvement in two areas:
1.    Medical staff privileging
•    Service-specific criteria in Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations
•    Regular Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations

2.    Mental health
•    Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation completion

Open Recommendation Image, SquareOpenClosed and Implemented Recommendation Image, CheckmarkClosed-ImplementedNot Implemented Recommendation Image, X character'Closed-Not Implemented
No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Chief of Staff ensures service chiefs incorporate service-specific criteria in licensed independent practitioners’ Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations.

No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Chief of Staff ensures service chiefs regularly monitor licensed independent practitioners’ performance through Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations.

No. 3
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Medical Center Director ensures providers complete the Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation on the same day as a patient’s positive suicide risk screen in all ambulatory care settings.