Recommendations
1011
| ID | Report Number | Report Title | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13-00026-223 | Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews at VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, Honolulu, HI | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
| 13-00367-226 | Inspection of VA Regional Office Houston, Texas | Review | ||
1 We recommend the Houston VA Regional Office Director implement a plan to ensure staff timely follow Veterans Benefits Administration policy to reduce temporary 100 percent disability evaluations when required.
Closure Date:
2 We recommend the Houston VA Regional Office Director develop and implement a plan to follow up on hearing requests associated with proposed reductions.
Closure Date:
3 We recommend the Houston VA Regional Office Director conduct a review of the 689 temporary 100 percent disability evaluations remaining from the data we used to perform the inspection and take appropriate action.
Closure Date:
4 We recommend the Houston VA Regional Office Director implement a plan to assess the effectiveness of training and provide refresher training on the proper processing of traumatic brain injury claims.
Closure Date:
5 We recommend the Houston VA Regional Office Director develop and implement a plan to ensure accurate second-signature reviews of traumatic brain injury claims.
Closure Date:
6 We recommend the Houston VA Regional Office Director ensure Veterans Service Center management amends the Systematic Analyses of Operations checklist to address all elements currently required by Veterans Benefits Administration policy and provide refresher training.
Closure Date:
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| 13-00890-220 | Combined Assessment Program Review of the Alaska VA Healthcare System, Anchorage, Alaska | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
1 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that actions from peer reviews are completed and reported to the PRC.
Closure Date:
2 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that FPPEs for newly hired licensed independent practitioners are consistently initiated and that results are consistently reported to the MEC.
Closure Date:
3 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that the quality of entries in the EHR is reviewed.
Closure Date:
4 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that quarterly trend reports summarize any discrepancies and problematic trends and identify potential areas for improvement.
Closure Date:
5 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that CS inspectors receive annual updates and refresher training regarding problematic issues identified through external survey findings and other quality control measures.
Closure Date:
6 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that local policy related to the return of Green Sheets to the pharmacy is adhered to and that all elements required for the processing of prescriptions are present.
Closure Date:
7 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that documentation of CS inspector orientation, training, annual updates, and annual competency assessments are maintained.
Closure Date:
8 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that CS inspectors initial and date CS Inspecting Official Checklists, VA CS forms, and pharmacy activity logs.
Closure Date:
9 We recommended that a process be established to track HPC consults that are not acted upon within 7 days of the request.
Closure Date:
10 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that the COS reviews HRCP activities in a timely manner.
Closure Date:
11 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that high-risk home oxygen patients are identified.
Closure Date:
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| 13-00274-224 | Combined Assessment Program Review of the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, Honolulu, Hawaii | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
| 13-00894-216 | Combined Assessment Program Review of the VA Manila Outpatient Clinic, Manila, Philippines | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
1 We recommended that the facility initiate monitoring of the copy and paste function.
Closure Date:
2 We recommended that the Peer Review Committee meets at least quarterly or that a notation be made if there are no cases to discuss for the quarter.
Closure Date:
3 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that EOC and Infection Prevention/Control Committee minutes reflect that actions taken in response to identified deficiencies are tracked to closure.
Closure Date:
4 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that infection prevention risk assessments are conducted.
Closure Date:
5 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that fire extinguisher inspections are conducted monthly and documented.
Closure Date:
6 We recommended that a process be implemented to ensure that laboratory specimens are transported in a secure manner.
Closure Date:
7 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that CS inspectors verify hard copy prescriptions for 10 percent of the schedule II drugs dispensed in the outpatient pharmacy and that compliance be monitored.
Closure Date:
8 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that patients at high risk for suicide and/or their families receive a copy of the safety plan.
Closure Date:
9 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that clinicians administer tetanus vaccinations when indicated.
Closure Date:
10 We recommended that the facility develop and implement a policy related to screening and referral for at-risk diabetic patients.
Closure Date:
11 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that diabetic patients receive annual risk assessments with risk level scores and that the assessments are documented in the EHRs.
Closure Date:
12 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that diabetic patients at moderate or high risk receive foot exams at each routine primary care visit.
Closure Date:
13 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that patients are consistently notified of critical/abnormal test results and that notification is documented in the EHRs.
Closure Date:
14 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that debriefings occur after incidents of disruptive or violent behavior.
Closure Date:
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| 13-00886-210 | Combined Assessment Program Review of the VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, New Jersey | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
1 We recommended that the local observation bed policy be revised to include all required elements.
Closure Date:
2 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that the results of non-VA purchased diagnostic tests are consistently scanned into EHRs.
Closure Date:
3 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that clinicians perform and document patient assessments following blood product transfusions.
Closure Date:
4 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that code evaluation sheets are completed for all code episodes and that code sheets are scanned into the EHRs.
Closure Date:
5 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that clean and dirty items are stored separately.
Closure Date:
6 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that sensitive patient information is secured on computer screens in the ED.
Closure Date:
7 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that medical equipment in the ED is terminally cleaned after patient discharge.
Closure Date:
8 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that supplies and equipment in the East Orange PT clinic are properly stored.
Closure Date:
9 We recommended that facility policy be amended to address that the CS Coordinator PD or functional statement must include CS inspection and coordination, to include that the CS Coordinator must have complete understanding of CS policies and VHA inspection process, and to include requirements for new CS inspector orientation and annual training thereafter.
Closure Date:
10 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that CS inspectors receive annual updates and/or refresher training.
Closure Date:
11 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that all non-HPC staff receive end-of-life training.
Closure Date:
12 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that the Chief of Staff reviews Home Respiratory Care Program activities at least quarterly.
Closure Date:
13 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that contracts for oxygen delivery contain educational information on the hazards of smoking while oxygen is in use.
Closure Date:
14 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that home oxygen program patients are re-evaluated for home oxygen therapy annually after the first year.
Closure Date:
15 We recommended that processes be strengthened to ensure that home oxygen program patients deemed to be high risk have fire risk assessments completed and that 3-month follow-up evaluations are completed for all home oxygen program patients.
Closure Date:
16 We recommended that unit 9A's expert panel include all required members.
Closure Date:
17 We recommended that the annual staffing plan reassessment process ensure that all required staff are facility expert panel members.
Closure Date:
18 We recommended that managers initiate protected peer review for the identified patient and complete any recommended review actions.
Closure Date:
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| 13-00026-213 | Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews at Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, and VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System, Harlingen, TX | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
1 We recommended that managers ensure that patients with normal cervical cancer screening results are notified of results within the defined timeframe and that notification is documented in the EHR.
2 We recommended that managers ensure that patients with normal cervical cancer screening results are notified of results within the defined timeframe and that notification is documented in the EHR.
3 We recommended that managers ensure that clinicians administer pneumococcal vaccinations when indicated.
4 We recommended that managers ensure that clinicians document all required tetanus and pneumococcal vaccination administration elements and that compliance is monitored.
5 We recommended that managers ensure that clinicians administer pneumococcal vaccinations when indicated.
6 We recommended that managers ensure that clinicians document all required pneumococcal vaccination administration elements and that compliance is monitored.
7 We recommended that the service chief’s documentation in VetPro reflects documents reviewed and the rationale for re-privileging at the Cedar Park CBOC.
8 We recommended that the service chief’s documentation in VetPro reflects documents reviewed and the rationale for re-privileging at the Corpus Christi Satellite, Harlingen OPC, and Laredo CBOC.
9 We recommended that signage is installed at the Corpus Christi Satellite, Harlingen OPC, and McAllen Satellite to clearly identify the location of fire extinguishers.
10 We recommended that a panic alarm system is installed at the Laredo CBOC.
11 We recommended that medications are reviewed for need, secured, and only accessible by those individuals who either dispen
12 We recommended that the placement of the telecommunications network beevaluated and that appropriate safety measures are implemented at theCorpus Christi Satellite.
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| 13-00432-217 | Combined Assessment Program Review of the Spokane VA Medical Center, Spokane, Washington | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
| 13-01741-215 | Combined Assessment Program Summary Report - Evaluation of Colorectal Cancer Screening and Follow-Up in Veterans Health Administration Facilities | Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program | ||
1 We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with VISN and facility senior managers, ensures that clinicians communicate positive CRC screening test, diagnostic test, and biopsy results to patients within 14 days and document notification in the EHR.
Closure Date:
2 We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with VISN and facility senior managers, ensures that clinicians document follow-up plans or document that no follow-up is warranted within 14 days of positive CRC screening results.
Closure Date:
3 We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with VISN and facility senior managers, ensures that clinicians discuss diagnostic testing options with patients and that desired testing is performed within 60 days of the positive CRC screening results.
Closure Date:
4 We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with VISN and facility senior managers, ensures that clinicians complete general or surgical evaluations within 30 days of positive CRC pathology.
Closure Date:
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| 12-04328-211 | Inspection of VA Regional Office Wilmington, Deleware | Review | ||
1 We recommend the Wilmington Regional Office Director develop and implement a plan to ensure claims processing staff input suspense diaries in the electronic record and timely schedule medical reexaminations when the reminder notifications generate.
Closure Date:
2 We recommend the Wilmington Regional Office Director develop and implement a plan to ensure claims processing staff take timely actions to finalize reductions in benefits when appropriate.
Closure Date:
3 We recommend the Wilmington VA Regional Office Director conduct a review of the 57 temporary 100 percent disability evaluations remaining from our inspection universe and take appropriate action.
Closure Date:
4 We recommend the Wilmington VA Regional Office Director develop and implement a plan to ensure staff update the resource directory and regularly contact and provide outreach to homeless shelters and service providers under the VA Regional Office's jurisdiction.
Closure Date:
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11259