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Healthcare Inspection – Laboratory Delays and Alleged Staff Training Issues, Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
13-02599-311
VISN
State
Tennessee
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Hotline Healthcare Inspection
Recommendations
2
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
OIG conducted a healthcare inspection to determine the merit of allegations related to laboratory delays impacting patient care and a lack of staff training in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS) at the Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN (facility). OIG substantiated that urgent laboratory tests were not processed in a timely manner, and that a patient experienced a lengthy delay in treatment while waiting for laboratory test results. OIG did not substantiate that there were delays in reporting test results with critical values to ordering providers. We also did not substantiate that PLMS staff were not trained on vital laboratory equipment and processes. The Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) and facility Directors concurred with OIG recommendations to ensure that processes be strengthened to ensure that laboratory turnaround times adhere to facility and VISN expectations, and to ensure that policies and processes are put in place to establish consistent and appropriate methods for data collection and analysis of laboratory test processing times.

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 Facility Director ensure that processes be strengthened to ensure that laboratory turnaround times adhere to facility and VISN 9 expectations.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Facility Director ensure that policies and processes are put in place to establish consistent and appropriate methods for data collection and analysis of laboratory turnaround times.