Combined Assessment Program Review of the St. Cloud VA Health Care System, St. Cloud, Minnesota

The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, OIG provided crime awareness briefings to 181 employees. This review focused on eight operational activities. The facility complied with selected standards in the following five activities: (1) environment of care, (2) medication management, (3) moderate sedation, (4) point-of-care testing, and (5) QM. The facility’s reported accomplishments were opening an ambulatory surgery center and receiving the Veterans Integrated Service Network 23 Mental Health Team of the Year award. OIG made recommendations for improvement in the following three activities: (1) colorectal cancer screening, (2) polytrauma, and (3) mental health treatment continuity.