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Combined Assessment Program Summary Report - Evaluation of Colorectal Cancer Screening and Follow-Up in Veterans Health Administration Facilities

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
13-01741-215
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
4
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
OIG completed an evaluation of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and follow-up activities in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. The purpose of the evaluation was to follow-up on OIG’s report Healthcare Inspection – Colorectal Cancer Detection and Management in Veterans Health Administration Facilities (Report No. 05-00784-76, February 2, 2006) and to assess the effectiveness of VHA’s CRC screening program. OIG evaluated CRC screening, follow-up diagnostic testing, and patient results notification at 53 facilities during Combined Assessment Program reviews performed from October 1, 2011, through September 30, 2012, and identified four areas that needed improvement. OIG recommended that clinicians: (1) communicate positive CRC screening test, diagnostic test, and biopsy results to patients within 14 days and document notification in the electronic health record; (2) document follow-up plans or document that no follow-up is warranted within 14 days of positive CRC screening results; (3) discuss diagnostic testing options with patients and ensure desired testing is performed within 60 days of the positive CRC screening results; and (4) complete general or surgical evaluations within 30 days of positive CRC pathology.

Open Recommendation Image, SquareOpenClosed and Implemented Recommendation Image, CheckmarkClosed-ImplementedNot Implemented Recommendation Image, X character'Closed-Not Implemented
No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
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.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
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.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
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.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
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.