New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network (VISN 2) Should Improve Boiler Maintenance to Reduce Safety Risks and Prevent Care Disruptions

Boiler plants are essential to operating VA medical facilities. If boilers are not properly inspected, updated, and maintained, they may fail, putting veteran and employee safety at risk and disrupting patients’ access to care. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) established a policy to safely operate boiler plants in VHA Directive 1810. The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) audited to determine whether the New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network—Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 2—effectively followed that directive when inspecting and maintaining boiler plants. The OIG selected VISN 2 because data from fiscal year (FY) 2021 showed it had the most boiler plant components requiring maintenance and deficiencies associated with boiler plant components operating past their expected lifespans. The OIG determined VISN 2 did not fully comply with VHA Directive 1810 on useful life assessments and operations testing and inspections. Additionally, VHA leaders lacked information necessary for effective oversight. The OIG made six recommendations for facilities to manage the inspection and maintenance of boiler plants more effectively. The VISN 2 director should ensure useful life assessments are conducted for boilers operating past their expected or extended lifespans to ensure safe operation. Office of Healthcare Engineering leaders should clarify policies and procedures for scheduling useful life assessments for boilers, update VHA Directive 1810 to ensure medical facility boiler policies reflect current procedures and clarify the frequency of tests and inspections and whether they require third-party inspectors. The OIG also recommended the VISN 2 director review medical facilities’ boiler operation policies regarding notifying officials and planning corrective action to ensure they are consistent with VHA Directive 1810. The VISN 2 director also should employ a management information system to facilitate access to inspection records, useful life assessments, and corrective action plans.