Combined Assessment Program Review of the Alaska VA Healthcare System, Anchorage, Alaska

The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected health care facility operations, focusing on patient care quality and the environment of care. During the review, OIG provided crime awareness briefings to 122 employees. This review focused on eight operational activities. The facility complied with selected standards in the following four activities: (1) environment of care, (2) preventable pulmonary embolism, (3) continuity of care – fee basis, and (3) Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program. The facility’s reported accomplishments were the Department of Defense/VA Joint Venture at Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson and the facility’s telehealth program, both of which have improved access to care. OIG made recommendations for improvement in the following four activities: (1) quality management, (2) medication management – controlled substances inspections, (3) coordination of care – hospice and palliative care, and (4) long-term home oxygen therapy.