Federal Reports

We audited the Housing Choice Voucher Program at the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority because it was rated high risk on our risk assessment and due to the size of the Authority’s program. It averaged 3,508 vouchers and more than $2.4 million in housing assistance payments monthly. In addition, we had not audited the Authority’s program in the last 10 years. The audit objective was to determine whether the Authority administered its program in compliance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements. Specifically, we wanted to determine whether the Authority ensured that program participants were housed in appropriate size units and rents did not exceed the Authority’s payment standards. The Authority administered its program in compliance with HUD requirements. For the program participants reviewed, the Authority ensured that they were housed in appropriate size units and that the rents charged did not exceed the Authority’s payment standards.This report contains no recommendations.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a performance audit to examine the Federal TradeCommission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection’s (BCP) controls over Redress Program funds,particularly to examine whether controls are adequately designed and working effectively.

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The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated an inspection to assess allegations regarding concerns with cardiology procedures at the facility and evaluated facility leaders’ responses to reports of deficiencies in the Cardiac Catherization and Electrophysiology Laboratories. The OIG substantiated that complications occurred in 13 of 22 patients who underwent cardiac procedures at the facility, two of which resulted in death. The OIG team reviewed the electronic health records of the 13 patients for adverse clinical outcomes and determined that the complications, including the deaths, were not due to deficiencies or failure to follow Veterans Health Administration policy, and were consistent with known risks associated with cardiac procedures. The OIG also determined that, in response to the death of the patient who underwent a cardiac catheterization procedure, facility leaders followed policy and initiated quality reviews. The OIG did not substantiate that an anesthesiologist had concerns about the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. However, the OIG found that the Chief of Anesthesiology had a concern about the pre-procedural workup of the subject patient, which facility leaders addressed. The OIG found that the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Committee meeting minutes lacked a way to identify a specific patient code event; however, a June 18, 2019, OIG Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program team recommended the committee review each resuscitative episode; therefore, this report will make no further recommendations related to the committee. The OIG substantiated that the Acting Chief of Staff was aware of issues in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory but did not substantiate that no follow-up action occurred. The Acting Chief of Staff was aware of the eight other patients identified in the allegation and the subject patient’s death and partook in reviews. The OIG did not substantiate that a cardiologist was not present during procedures or that fellows performed procedures independently. The OIG made no recommendations.

This report presents the results of our self-initiated audit of Local Purchases and Payments: Miscellaneous Services – Ellensburg, WA, Main Post Office (MPO). The Ellensburg MPO is in the Seattle District of the Western Area. This audit was designed to provide U.S. Postal Service management with timely information on potential financial control risks at Postal Service locations. Our objective was to determine whether local purchases and payments made at the Ellensburg MPO were valid and properly supported and processed.

Our objective was to review select mail delivery and customer service operations at the Chatsworth Post Office in Chatsworth, CA. We reviewed delivery metrics including the number of routes and carriers, mail arrival time, amount of reported delayed mail, package scanning, distribution up-time, and carriers’ return-to-office time. During our site visits on January 14-15, 2020, we reviewed unit safety and security procedures, mail conditions, and Voyager card and arrow lock key security procedures. We analyzed the scan status of mailpieces at the carrier cases and in the “Notice Left” area and interviewed unit management and employees.