Improvements Needed to Reduce Aging Infrastructure Risks at Northport VA Medical Center in New York

The OIG assessed the merits of a hotline complaint received in March 2019 regarding building conditions and patient safety at the Northport VA Medical Center in Northport, New York. The complainant alleged that medical center managers did not take adequate action to maintain the center’s buildings. According to the complaint, the delivery system for steam heat failed and caused damage that contaminated employee and patient areas with asbestos, lead paint, and other debris. The review team determined that damage occurred in building 65 of the medical center and that four rooms were closed for repairs from February through mid-October 2019. The room closures did not, however, affect patient care because other space was available. The team also found that prior medical center leaders did not plan effectively to address building 65’s deficiencies. The OIG made three recommendations to the Veterans Integrated Service Network 2 director. These included developing an oversight process to make certain that medical center leaders effectively develop and execute the master plan to reduce the medical center’s footprint in order to better manage aging infrastructure. The OIG also recommended that the medical center’s director define a timeline for implementing the master plan and communicate plan objectives to stakeholders. The recommendations call for (1) the medical center’s master plan and the strategic capital investment plan to be consistent and (2) the master plan to be executed following agreed upon milestones and available resources. Finally, the OIG recommended that the medical center director develop processes and procedures for submitting work orders—including for notifications when work orders are assigned and reviewed for accuracy and consistency—to help the center’s engineering service prioritize work and manage resources.