Audit of DoD Health Care Personnel Shortages During the Coronavirus Disease–2019 Pandemic

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Date Issued

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Submitting OIG

Department of Defense OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of Defense OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Defense

Report Number

DODIG-2024-086

Report Type

Audit

Special Projects

Pandemic

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Report updated under NDAA 5274

Open Recommendations

This report has 5 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
D-2024-0086-D000AW-0001-0001.a	No	$0	$0
Rec. 1.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Defense Health Agency Director, in consultation with the Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service develop and implement a plan to ensure a more competitive pay rate for nursing and other hard to fill medical positions in all Defense Health Agency regions.
D-2024-0086-D000AW-0001-0001.c	No	$0	$0
Rec. 1.c: The DoD OIG recommended that the Defense Health Agency Director, in consultation with the Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service develop and implement a plan to establish qualification requirements for nursing and other hard to fill medical positions if it is determined that it would enhance the DoD's efforts to help recruit and retain health care personnel.
D-2024-0086-D000AW-0001-0003.a	No	$0	$0
Rec. 3.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Defense Health Agency Director revise Defense Health Agency Administrative Instruction 5136.03 to establish approval authority for any civilian personnel extensions outside the continental United States beyond a period of 7 years.
D-2024-0086-D000AW-0001-0003.b	No	$0	$0
Rec. 3.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Defense Health Agency Director establish maximum time frames to approve civilian personnel extensions outside of the continental United States and require monitoring of extension approval timelines.
D-2024-0086-D000AW-0001-0003.d	No	$0	$0
Rec. 3.d: The DoD OIG recommended that the Defense Health Agency Director develop and implement a plan to apply strategies and incentives used by other Federal agencies to hire entry-level registered nurses if it is determined the strategies and incentives would enhance the DoD's recruitment efforts.