Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the VA Providence Healthcare System in Rhode Island

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
22-04037-32
VISN
1
State
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
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
Patient Safety
Suicide Prevention
Major Management Challenges
Healthcare Services
Recommendations
2
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary

This Office of Inspector General Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program report describes the results of a focused evaluation of the inpatient and outpatient care provided at the VA Providence Healthcare System, which includes the Providence VA Medical Center and multiple outpatient clinics in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 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 two recommendations for improvement in two areas:

1.    Medical staff privileging

•    Equivalent specialized training and similar privileges for Focused Professional Practice Evaluations

2.    Mental health

•    Timely completion of Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluations

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

The Chief of Staff ensures providers with equivalent specialized training and similar privileges complete Focused Professional Practice Evaluations for licensed independent practitioners.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Chief of Staff ensures providers complete the Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation on the same calendar day, when it is clinically appropriate, following a positive suicide risk screen.