Healthcare Inspection Alleged Quality of Care Issues and Privacy Violations Battle Creek VA Medical Center Battle Creek, Michigan

The purpose of this inspection was to determine the validity of allegations regarding quality of care and privacy violations on Unit 82-1. We substantiated that an employee had an allergic reaction, and that epinephrine was administered incorrectly. Five of the complainant’s allegations resulted in recommendations to the Veterans Integrated Service Network and Medical Center Directors. We recommended that: (1) allegations of abuse or neglect are reported and investigated in compliance with medical center policy, (2) staff receive training and are deemed competent for all functions of the LIFEPAK 12 defibrillator, (3) all clinically active staff achieve and maintain basic life support certification, (4) a review of the current telemetry training process is conducted and managers ensure competency of all staff required to interpret cardiac rhythms, and (5) complaints of computer security or privacy violations are documented and investigated in compliance with Veterans Health Administration and medical center policy