Healthcare Facility Inspection of the VA Boston Healthcare System in Massachusetts

This Office of Inspector General (OIG) Healthcare Facility Inspection program report describes the results of a focused evaluation of the care provided at the VA Boston Healthcare System in Massachusetts. 

This evaluation focused on five key content domains:
     •    Culture
     •    Environment of care
     •    Patient safety
     •    Primary care
     •    Veteran-centered safety net

The OIG issued 11 recommendations for improvement in two domains:
  1.    Environment of care
     •    Processes to prevent repeat findings
     •    Biological hazard signs
     •    Safe and clean patient care areas
     •    Medication storage areas
           o    Restricted access
           o    Pharmacy staff inspections
           o    Temperature and humidity
     •    Urgent Care Center operates according to VHA Directive 1101.13
     •    Repeat findings and sustained improvements
     •    Trends, performance improvement plans, and outcome measures
  2.    Patient safety
     •    Test result communication policy complies with VHA directives for critical test results