Review of Allegations Regarding Quality of Care, Professional Conduct, and Contractual Issues for Cardiothoracic Surgery and Perfusion Services at the VA North Texas Health Care System Provided by the University of Texas—Southwestern Medical Center

In response to anonymous allegations, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducted a review of cardiothoracic (CT) surgery and perfusion services provided by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) at the VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHS) in Dallas, Texas. The allegations involved quality of care issues with regards to CT surgery, professional conduct of the CT surgeons, and contractual issues for CT surgery and perfusion services. The review was conducted by the OIG’s Office of Contract Review and the Office of Healthcare Inspections. Our review did not substantiate any of the allegations of poor quality of care or unprofessional conduct by the UTSW CT surgeons. However, we substantiated four issues with regards to UTSW contract for CT surgery and perfusion services. We found that VANTHS has not had a long-term contract with UTSW for CT surgery since September 2010 and there is no evidence that prices paid to UTSW for CT surgery and perfusion services have been determined to be fair and reasonable. Management has concurred with our findings and recommendations.