Healthcare Facility Inspection of the VA North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System in Gainesville

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
24-00604-121
VISN
8
State
Florida
Georgia
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Healthcare Facility Inspection
Report Topic
Patient Care Services Operations
Patient Safety
Supplies and Equipment
Major Management Challenges
Healthcare Services
Recommendations
7
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary

This Office of Inspector General (OIG) Healthcare Facility Inspection program report describes the results of a focused evaluation of the care provided at the VA North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. 

This evaluation focused on five key content domains:
   •    Culture
   •    Environment of care
   •    Patient safety
   •    Primary care
   •    Veteran-centered safety net

The OIG issued seven recommendations for improvement in two domains:
  1.    Environment of care
   •    Maintain, inspect, and test medical equipment
   •    Secure medications
   •    Store oxygen tanks
   •    Clean food storage areas
   •    Remove expired supplies
   •    Mark equipment for repair and remove dirty items from storage areas
  2.    Patient Safety
   •    Sustained compliance with Joint Commission accreditation standards
 

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 OIG recommends the Associate Director of Operations ensures staff maintain, inspect, and test medical equipment.

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

The OIG recommends the Deputy Chief of Staff ensures staff secure all medications from unauthorized access.

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

The OIG recommends the Associate Director of Patient Care Services ensures staff appropriately store oxygen tanks.

No. 4
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The OIG recommends the Associate Director ensures staff clean all food storage areas.

No. 5
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The OIG recommends the Associate Director of Operations ensures staff remove expired supplies from storage areas.

No. 6
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The OIG recommends the Associate Director of Operations ensures staff mark equipment that needs repair and separate it from equipment available for use and remove dirty items from clean storage areas.

No. 7
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The OIG recommends facility leaders ensure sustained compliance with Joint Commission accreditation standards.