Federal Reports

We found that FSA established policies and procedures related to the intake and discharge of borrower defense claims in 2015 and refined the claims intake policies and procedures throughout our review period. FSA also established policies and procedures related to reviewing borrower defense claims in April 2016 and introduced new policies and procedures throughout our review period. However, we identified weaknesses with FSA’s procedures for: (1) documenting the review and approval of legal memoranda establishing categories of borrower defense claims that qualified for discharge, (2) reviewing borrower defense claims, (3) processing claims approved for loan discharge and flagged for denial, and (4) establishing timeframes for claims intake, claims review, loan discharge, and claims denial processes and controls to ensure timeframes are met.

During our August 2017 site visit to the FLETC Artesia Training Center, we identified a potential safety issue at a warehouse, Building 13. The Border Patrol Academy had been using the warehouse to train new hires on search and conveyance. In 2009, a vehicle from an adjacent driving course struck the warehouse. FLETC officials could not provide documentation to support that an engineering evaluation was conducted to determine whether the accident affected the integrity of the warehouse structure. Border Patrol Academy officials also expressed safety concerns about using the warehouse to train new hires.

During our August 2017 site visit to the FLETC Artesia Training Center, we identified a potential safety issue at a warehouse, Building 13. The Border Patrol Academy had been using the warehouse to train new hires on search and conveyance. In 2009, a vehicle from an adjacent driving course struck the warehouse. FLETC officials could not provide documentation to support that an engineering evaluation was conducted to determine whether the accident affected the integrity of the warehouse structure. Border Patrol Academy officials also expressed safety concerns about using the warehouse to train new hires.

In accordance with FY 2017 IG FISMA Reporting Metrics, the objective of the evaluationwas to determine the effectiveness of the information security program and practices of theCommission. The scope of this evaluation focused on the Commission’s General SupportSystem (GSS) and related information security policies, procedures, standards, andguidelines.

We determined whether the Joint Attack Munition Systems (JAMS) project office adequately assessed the affordability of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) increment one.

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted an evaluation of the quality of care provided in the inpatient and outpatient settings of the Bath VA Medical Center (facility). This included reviews of various aspects of key clinical and administrative processes that affect patient care outcomes—Leadership and Organizational Risks; Quality, Safety, and Value; Medication Management: Anticoagulation Therapy; Coordination of Care: Inter-Facility Transfers; Environment of Care; Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program; and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Care. OIG also provided crime awareness briefings to 29 employees.The facility has generally stable executive leadership and active engagement with employees and patients as evidenced by high satisfaction scores. Organizational leaders support patient safety, quality care, and other positive outcomes. OIG’s review of accreditation organization findings, sentinel events, disclosures, Patient Safety Indicator data, and Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning results did not identify any substantial organizational risk factors. OIG noted findings in five of the six areas of clinical operations reviewed and issued 11 recommendations that are attributable to the Chief of Staff and Associate Director. The identified areas with deficiencies are:(1) Quality, Safety, and Value • Credentialing and privileging data reviews• Utilization management documentation(2) Medication Management: Anticoagulation Therapy• Provision of medication education to patients(3) Environment of Care• Environment of care rounds frequency and attendance• Maintenance of required number of filled oxygen tanks and an adequate supply of personal protective equipment• Storage of clean and sterile supplies(4) Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program• Monthly self-inspections, weekly contraband inspections, every 2-hour rounds of public spaces, and daily resident room inspections• Security at entrance doors