Healthcare Inspection – Audiology Staffing, Consult Management, and Access to Care, Sheridan VA Healthcare System, Sheridan, Wyoming

The VA Office of Inspector General Office of Healthcare Inspections conducted an inspection to assess allegations regarding audiology services within the Sheridan VA Healthcare System (the system) Sheridan, WY. We substantiated that Audiology Service staffing was insufficient; however, the system has taken action to improve the provision of audiology services. We did not substantiate that requests for audiology consultations, including non-VA purchased care, were inappropriately cancelled or discontinued. We substantiated that veterans’ access to audiology services was delayed. The system was aware of the situation and had processes and procedures in place to address the demand including the use of non-VA purchased care as a first choice, use of locums tenens, if available, and then the Electronic Wait List. We made no recommendations.