Healthcare Inspection Alleged Quality of Care, Personnel, and Other Community Living Center Issues Hampton VA Medical Center Hampton, Virginia

At the request of the Honorable Jim Webb, United States Senator from Virginia, the OIG conducted an inspection to determine the validity of allegations by an anonymous complainant regarding quality of care, personnel, and other issues in the community living center at the Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton, VA. We substantiated that weekly showers do not occur for all residents; however, culture transformation and veteran-centered care allows for liberalized bathing types and schedules. We also substantiated the allegation that some staff members were habitually tardy without disciplinary action; however, CLC managers had addressed this issue months prior to our review. We did not substantiate that nursing staff do not assist residents with meals in a timely manner, that a staff member borrowed money from a resident and no disciplinary action occurred, that the work environment for nursing staff is hostile and unprofessional, or that Resident Council meeting minutes and follow-up are not available to residents. We recommended that the Hampton VA Medical Center Director require that CLC Nurse Managers monitor accurate documentation of resident bathing.