Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center in Pennsylvania

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
22-00236-212
VISN
1
State
Pennsylvania
District
Continental
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Major Management Challenges
Benefits for Veterans
Recommendations
4
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary

This Office of Inspector General (OIG) Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program report describes the results of a focused evaluation of the inpatient and outpatient care provided at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center and multiple outpatient clinics in Pennsylvania. This evaluation focused on five key operational areas: • Leadership and organizational risks • Quality, safety, and value • Medical staff privileging • Environment of care • Mental health (emergency department and urgent care center suicide prevention initiatives) The OIG issued four recommendations for improvement in three areas: 1. Medical Staff Privileging • Incorporate service-specific criteria in Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations 2. Environment of Care • Conduct comprehensive environment of care inspections at the required frequency • Document response times for panic alarm testing 3. Mental Health • Complete Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluations within the required time frame

Open Recommendation Image, SquareOpenClosed and Implemented Recommendation Image, CheckmarkClosed-ImplementedNot Implemented Recommendation Image, X character'Closed-Not Implemented
No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Chief of Staff evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures service chiefs incorporate service-specific criteria in the Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations of licensed independent practitioners.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Associate Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff conduct comprehensive environment of care inspections at the required frequency

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Associate Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures staff document VA police response times for panic alarm testing in the inpatient mental health unit.

No. 4
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Director evaluates and determines any additional reasons for noncompliance and ensures providers complete the Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation within the required time frame for patients with a positive suicide risk screen.