Combined Assessment Program Summary Report – Evaluation of Surgical Complexity Support Services in Veterans Health Administration Facilities

The purpose of the review was to determine whether Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities complied with selected requirements to provide support services for their designated surgical complexity level and to assess whether employees had documented competencies to provide certain services after operational hours. The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted this review at 41 VHA medical facilities during Combined Assessment Program reviews performed across the country from October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2015. OIG observed high compliance with requirements to provide basic laboratory and radiology coverage as well as 12-lead electrocardiograph service. As the individual facility Combined Assessment Program reports were published, the VHA National Surgery Office was proactive in addressing problems and made several positive changes. OIG identified an opportunity for improvement and made one recommendation.