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Combined Assessment Program Summary Report – Evaluation of Nurse Staffing in Veterans Health Administration Facilities

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
13-01744-187
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
2
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
OIG completed an evaluation of nurse staffing in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. The purpose of the evaluation was to determine the extent to which VHA facilities implemented the staffing methodology for nursing personnel and to evaluate nurse staffing on one selected acute care unit. OIG conducted this review at 27 facilities during Combined Assessment Program reviews performed from April 1 through September 30, 2012, and identified two areas where VHA facilities needed to improve compliance. OIG recommended that all facilities (1) fully implement the staffing methodology and complete all required steps and (2) improve processes to use the available data to manage and provide safe, cost-effective staffing.

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 VISN and facility senior managers, ensures that all facilities fully implement the staffing methodology and complete all required steps.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with VISN and facility senior managers, ensures that facilities improve processes to use the available data to manage and provide safe, cost-effective staffing.