Combined Assessment Program Review of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
15-00604-488
VISN
State
Pennsylvania
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
5
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a review to evaluate selected health care facility operations, focusing on patient care quality and the environment of care. During the review, OIG provided crime awareness briefings to 563 employees. This review focused on eight operational activities. The facility complied with selected standards in the following three activities: (1) coordination of care, (2) computed tomography radiation monitoring, and (3) advance directives. The facility’s reported accomplishments were receiving the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association gold award and the Fine Awards Teamwork Excellence in Health Care platinum award from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation in partnership with The Fine Foundation. OIG made recommendations for improvement in the following five activities: (1) quality management, (2) environment of care, (3) medication management, (4) surgical complexity, and (5) emergency airway management.

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 facility managers ensure that licensed independent practitioners who perform emergency airway management have the appropriate skills and training.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the facility document evacuation sled training in the Talent Management System.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the facility revise the policy for safe use of automated dispensing machines to include employee training and minimum competency requirements for users and that facility managers monitor compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that facility managers ensure post-anesthesia care competency assessment is completed for critical care nurses on the intensive care units.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the facility ensure clinician reassessment for continued emergency airway management competency includes review of clinician-specific data and all required elements and that facility managers monitor compliance.