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Combined Assessment Program Summary Report – Evaluation of Hospice and Palliative Care in Veterans Health Administration Facilities

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
14-00727-239
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
2
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a review to determine whether Veterans Health Administration facilities performed active hospice and palliative care case finding, provided end-of-life care training to staff, and met selected documentation standards and to assess selected Palliative Care Consult Team processes, documentation, and staffing. OIG performed this review in conjunction with 54 Combined Assessment Program reviews of Veterans Health Administration medical facilities conducted from October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2013. OIG identified opportunities for improvement in providing required minimum Palliative Care Consult Team staffing and end-of-life care training to staff and made two recommendations.

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 Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensures that at least the minimum required Palliative Care Consult Team staffing is provided.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network and facility senior managers, ensures that end-of-life care training is provided to staff who work in areas where they are likely to encounter patients at the end of their lives.