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Report File
Date Issued
Submitting OIG
Department of Health & Human Services OIG
Other Participating OIGs
Department of Health & Human Services OIG
Agencies Reviewed/Investigated
Department of Health & Human Services
Components
Indian Health Service
Report Number
A-01-17-01502
Report Description

The Penobscot Indian Nation (Penobscot Nation) did not meet all Federal and Tribal health and safety requirements for the quality of health care at the Penobscot Nation Health Department (PNHD). Specifically, we found that PNHD did not have a physician who provided the medical direction for the health center and performed all of the required oversight duties, written patient care policies and procedures (including pain-management and opiate-dependency treatment and compliance monitoring), and other policies and procedures needed to comply with the requirements.

Report Type
Audit
Agency Wide
Yes
Additional Details
https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region1/11701502.asp
External Entity
Penobscot Indian Nation

Open Recommendations

This report has 6 open recommendations.
Recommendation Number Significant Recommendation Recommended Questioned Costs Recommended Funds for Better Use Additional Details
265981 No $0 $0

We recommend that the Penobscot Nation establish a preventative maintenance program for the facility and medical equipment to ensure that it provides a safe, clean, and accessible environment.

265980 No $0 $0

We recommend that Penobscot Nation implement Federal and Tribal preemployment screening controls for employees who have not been fully screened prior to employment and for new staff hired at PNHD, including the performance of fingerprinting and FBI background checks for all staff currently working with Indian children, and maintain complete employee personnel files that include current licensing information when applicable.

265979 No $0 $0

(3) We recommend that the Penobscot Nation conduct annual program evaluations in accordance with Federal requirements, review the results of the program evaluations, and take corrective actions as appropriate.

265982 No $0 $0

(6) We recommend that Penobscot Nation work with the Penobscot Nation’s Tribal government to ensure that its emergency preparedness program is reviewed, updated, and tested annually, in accordance with Federal requirements, and review and update PNHD’s standard operating procedures in accordance with Tribal requirements.

265978 No $0 $0

(2) We recommend that the Penobscot Nation develop, approve, and implement written medical policies and procedures, with the advice of the required group of professional medical staff, that include: - pain-management treatment prioritization requirements for opioid prescription and compliance monitoring, and - requirements for timely completion, signature, and review of patient health records.

265977 No $0 $0

(1) We recommend that the Penobscot Nation ensure that PNHD is under the medical direction of a physician who performs all of the duties required in the job description and in accordance with Federal and Tribal requirements.

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

United States