Combined Assessment Program Summary Report - Evaluation of Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management at Veterans Health Administration Facilities

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
14-05132-90
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
9
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 clinicians complied with selected requirements related to pressure ulcer prevention and management. OIG performed this evaluation in conjunction with 47 Combined Assessment Program reviews of Veterans Health Administration medical facilities conducted from April 1, 2013, through March 31, 2014. OIG noted high compliance with Veterans Health Administration policy in many areas, including facilities’ local pressure ulcer policies, requirements for comprehensive skin assessments, and use of a standardized risk assessment tool. OIG identified opportunities for improvement in administrative requirements and employee training, risk assessment and prevention, documentation, and medication storage and made nine 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 leaders, ensure that facility policy addresses outpatient pressure ulcer prevention and treatment.
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 leaders, ensure that facilities establish pressure ulcer committees with appropriate professional representation.
No. 3
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 leaders, ensure that facilities' pressure ulcer programs define requirements for employee training regarding pressure ulcer risk assessment, skin assessment and management, and documentation of skin assessment findings and that facility managers monitor compliance.
No. 4
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 leaders, ensure that clinicians revise pressure ulcer prevention plans when patients' risk levels change and that facility managers monitor compliance.
No. 5
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 leaders, ensure that clinicians provide and document patient/caregiver pressure ulcer education and that facility managers monitor compliance.
No. 6
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 leaders, ensure that clinicians provide and document skin inspections and Braden scales daily during hospitalization, including the day of discharge, and that facility managers monitor compliance.
No. 7
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 leaders, ensure that facilities establish processes to monitor consistency in documentation of pressure ulcer stage, location, date acquired, and risk scale score and take appropriate actions to address inconsistencies.
No. 8
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 leaders, ensure that clinicians document wound care follow-up plans for patients discharged with unhealed pressure ulcers and that the facility provides needed supplies.
No. 9
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 leaders, ensure that employees secure medications stored in patients' rooms.