Federal Reports

The U.S. Postal Service launched a pilot program to transport mail by rail on July 14, 2020, under a contract with Contractor #1. On November 10, 2021, the Postal Service expanded rail service using a second contractor, Contractor #2. The intent of moving mail by rail is to reduce as many Highway Contract Route trips as possible and fully optimize the surface transportation network. Our objective was to evaluate how the Postal Service identifies opportunities for moving standard mail on intermodal transportation and monitors rail transportation network performance. To accomplish our objective, we conducted observations at the Los Angeles Network Distribution Center (NDC) and interviewed Postal Service management at the eight NDCs using rail service. Additionally, we reviewed contracts and performance data for the scope period of July 14, 2020, to June 30, 2022

This Office of Inspector General (OIG) Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program report highlights the results of a focused evaluation of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities’ care coordination programs related to inter-facility patient transfers. The report describes findings from healthcare inspections performed at VHA medical facilities during fiscal year 2021. Each inspection involved interviews with key staff and reviews of clinical and administrative processes.The OIG found general compliance with some of the selected care coordination requirements. However, the OIG identified weaknesses with and issued four recommendations related to the• existence of facility policies for inter-facility transfers,• monitoring and evaluation of inter-facility transfers,• transmission of patients’ active medication lists and advance directives to receiving facilities, and• communication between nurses at sending and receiving facilities.