Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System in Marion

This Office of Inspector General (OIG) Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program report describes the results of a focused evaluation of the quality of care delivered in the inpatient and outpatient settings of the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, which includes the Fort Wayne and Marion VA Medical Centers, multiple outpatient clinics in Indiana, and an outpatient clinic in Ohio. This evaluation focused on five key operational areas:• Leadership and organizational risks• Quality, safety, and value• Medical staff privileging• Environment of care• Mental health (suicide prevention initiatives)The OIG issued 10 recommendations for improvement in three areas:1. Medical staff privileging• Focused Professional Practice Evaluation time frames• Privileges based on Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation activities2. Environment of care• Corrugated containers• Clean and free of dust and soiling• Clean patient care areas• Expired commercial products• Clean and dirty equipment storage• Walls allow thorough cleaning• Inpatient Mental Health Unit over-the-door alarm testing3. Mental health• Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation completion