Healthcare Inspection – Follow-Up of Quality of Care, Management, and Operations, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa

OIG conducted an inspection at the request of Senator Charles E. Grassley to follow up on a prior inspection at the Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA. We previously evaluated the overall quality of care, management, and operations and an allegation that concerns expressed by staff “have been largely ignored” and published Review of Quality of Care, Management, and Operations, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa, Report No. 12-02263-269, August 29, 2012. For the current inspection, we assessed the implementation and progress of the action plans developed in response to OHI recommendations from the 2012 report and evaluated a new allegation that “nothing had changed in Iowa City.” We noted overall improvements and did not substantiate the allegation that “nothing had changed.” We found that high quality medical care had been maintained. While some concerns remain in limited areas regarding blame, fear of retaliation, and reactionary leadership, system leadership is working to create a culture and environment that feels safe and non-retaliatory and acknowledges the need for continued progress in these areas. We made no recommendations.