Healthcare Inspection Implementation of VHA’s Uniform Mental Health Services Handbook

As required by the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriation Bill, fiscal year 2009 (FY09), the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a review of the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA’s) progress in implementing the recommendations of the Mental Health Strategic Plan. Also the Committee was concerned that VHA policy on the identification and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has not been applied uniformly and directed the OIG to include a review of the compliance to these policies in the report. This inspection reports on the system-wide implementation status of VHA Handbook 1160.01, Uniform Mental Health Services in VA Medical Centers and Clinics. We believe it reasonably estimates the present extent of handbook implementation at the medical center level at this time. A detailed table presents our findings, including findings on PTSD. Because facilities have until the end of FY09 to fully meet the handbook requirements, we made no recommendations at this time.