Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program Review of the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a focused evaluation of the quality of care delivered in the inpatient and outpatient settings of the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center (facility). The review covered key clinical and administrative processes associated with promoting quality care—Leadership and Organizational Risks; Quality, Safety, and Value; Medication Management: Anticoagulation Therapy; Coordination of Care: Inter-Facility Transfers; Environment of Care; High-Risk Processes: Moderate Sedation; and Long-Term Care: Community Nursing Home Oversight. OIG also provided crime awareness briefings to 96 employees. The facility has generally stable executive leadership to support patient safety and quality care. OIG’s review of accreditation organization findings, sentinel events, disclosures, Patient Safety Indicator data, and SAIL results did not identify any substantial organizational risk factors. The senior leadership team was knowledgeable about selected SAIL metrics but should continue to take actions to improve care, overall employee satisfaction, and performance, particularly Quality of Care and Efficiency metrics likely contributing to the current 3-star ranking. OIG noted findings in the six areas of clinical operations reviewed and issued 14 recommendations. The identified areas with deficiencies are: (1) Quality, Safety, and Value • Senior-level committee for quality, safety, and value functions • Physician Utilization Management Advisors’ documentation of decisions (2) Medication Management: Anticoagulation Therapy • Collecting, analyzing, and reporting quality assurance data • Employee competency assessments (3) Coordination of Care: Inter-Facility Transfers • Transfer data collection and reporting • Resident supervision and staff/attending physician countersignatures (4) Environment of Care • Environment of care rounds attendance • Panic alarm testing (5) High Risk Processes: Moderate Sedation • Pre-sedation airway and post-procedure pain level assessments (6) Long-Term Care: Community Nursing Home Oversight • Oversight committee meeting requirements • Integration into the facility quality improvement program • Annual reviews • Cyclical clinical visits