Review of Leaders’ Actions Affecting Clinical Services at the Syracuse VA Medical Center in New York

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a healthcare inspection at the Syracuse VA Medical Center (facility) to assess allegations of reduced clinical services, poor leadership communication, and staff resignations. The OIG also identified concerns about patient transfer delays and oversight of infrastructure requirements.

The OIG substantiated that clinical services were reduced. The former Facility Director closed the neurosurgery program without submitting a required clinical restructuring request, bypassing national oversight. Facility leaders allowed contracts for infectious disease and endocrinology services to lapse and did not implement contingency plans upon the lapses. The OIG also substantiated eight physicians resigned due to clinical service reductions and deficient communication. Further, coverage requirements of the facility’s complexity designation were not met, which reduced the availability of clinical services. Although the OIG did not identify any adverse patient outcomes, the OIG is concerned about the potential risk.

Facility leaders did not have a process to monitor patient transfer timeliness; therefore, the OIG was unable to determine if delays occurred. Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility leaders also did not provide compulsory oversight of facility infrastructure requirements, increasing risks to patient care. 

In response to the OIG’s recommendations, the Acting Under Secretary for Health outlined plans for communicating expectations for infrastructure deficiency waivers. The Interim Veterans Integrated Service Network Director committed to evaluating circumstances that led to facility leaders not following clinical restructuring requirements as well as ensuring accurate infrastructure reviews. The Interim Facility Director also reported plans to verify accurate infrastructure reviews, enhance communication strategies, and examine contracting and patient transfer processes.