Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program Summary Report: Evaluation of Medication Management in Veterans Health Administration Facilities

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
23-01177-215
VISN
1
State
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Delaware
Hawaii
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Nevada
New Mexico
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Texas
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
1
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary

This Office of Inspector General (OIG) Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program report highlights the results of a focused evaluation of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities’ medication management related to teratogenic medication prescriptions. The report describes a finding from healthcare inspections performed at 45 VHA medical facilities. The OIG interviewed key staff and reviewed the electronic health records of 1,352 randomly selected patients with the potential to become pregnant, who received care at the inspected facilities from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, and were prescribed a teratogenic medication. The OIG issued one recommendation for improvement related to providing counseling to patients who have the potential to become pregnant on the risks and benefits of teratogenic medications prior to prescribing them and documenting the counseling in the electronic health record.

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 Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, ensure providers counsel patients who have the potential to become pregnant on the risks and benefits of teratogenic medications prior to prescribing them and document this counseling in the electronic health record.