Healthcare Inspection Progress in Implementing the Veterans Health Administration’s Uniform Mental Health Services Handbook

As directed in House of Representatives Report 111-188 to accompany H.R. 3082, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, And Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2010, the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted (1) a review of the Department of Veteran Affairs continued progress in implementing Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Handbook 1160.01, Uniform Mental Health Services in VA Medical Centers and Clinics (the Handbook); (2) an assessment of the metrics developed by the Department to ensure implementation of Handbook requirements; (3) an assessment of the system developed to track use of evidence-based post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) therapies; (4) a determination of whether the Department has sufficient inpatient capability available for substance use treatment; and (5) identification of any barriers to full implementation We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health in conjunction with mental health senior officials: review the data from this report along with internal VHA data and take steps to prioritize implementation of Handbook requirements as deemed appropriate; evaluate the potential benefits, costs, and/or unintended consequences of implementing new or refining existing administrative data sources or documentation to improve tracking of services relevant to management of VHA mental health care; ensure that specialized PTSD clinics have sufficient capacity to provide CPT and PE to patients with PTSD treated in that setting; conduct a facility by facility tracking and analysis of bed need for residential substance use treatment, utilization of contract and other non-VA residential substance use treatment beds, and utilization for substance use treatment of residential program beds located at other VAMCs; and review barriers to implementation and take appropriate actions to address these barriers. The Under Secretary for Health agreed with the findings and conclusions and we will follow-up on the planned actions until they are completed.