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Healthcare Inspection – Alleged Lack of Training and Support for Interventional Radiology Procedures, Salem VAMC, Salem, Virginia

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
14-02022-134
VISN
State
Virginia
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Hotline Healthcare Inspection
Recommendations
0
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
OIG conducted an inspection at the request of Senator Tim Kaine in response to allegations that interventional radiology procedures at the Salem VA Medical Center (facility), Salem, VA, were being performed by a radiologist with inadequate training, that the facility lacked adequate medical and surgical support for patients who might develop complications after certain interventional radiology procedures, and that the facility has no formal training and competency program for interventional radiology nurses and technicians. The purpose of the review was to determine whether the allegations had merit. We did not substantiate the allegation that radiology procedures at the facility were being performed by a radiologist with inadequate training. We found that facility credentialing staff properly verified all educational, training, and licensure credentials for the subject radiologist who was then granted initial privileges to perform procedures, including the two procedures named in the allegation. We did not substantiate the allegation that the facility lacked adequate medical and surgical support for patients who might develop complications after certain interventional radiology procedures. The facility has a vascular surgeon and gastroenterologists who are on site during interventional procedures and available should a patient undergoing an interventional radiology procedure need further care. In addition, the facility has a fully equipped Post Anesthesia Care Unit and Intensive Care Unit. We did not substantiate that the facility has no formal training and competency program for interventional radiology nurses and technicians. The facility requires all interventional radiology nurse and technician staff to undergo an annual competency assessment, which is completed by direct observation of the technician while performing his or her duties. We made no recommendations.
Recommendations (0)