Indian Health Service Facilities Made Progress Incorporating Patient Protection Policies, but Challenges Remain

Date Issued

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Submitting OIG

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Health & Human Services

Components

Indian Health Service

Report Number

OEI-06-19-00331

Report Type

Inspection / Evaluation

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Open Recommendations

This report has 4 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
6662	No	$0	$0
IHS should provide additional guidance and training to facilities on patient protection policies, including the role of law enforcement and the reporting process related to patient abuse.
6663	No	$0	$0
IHS should improve the process and timeliness for conducting staff background investigations and notifying facilities when staff are approved.
6664	No	$0	$0
IHS should examine and revise, as needed, the reporting structure in the policies and the incident reporting system to ensure that staff and patients can report abuse anonymously.
6665	No	$0	$0
IHS should establish and enforce a deadline by which all facilities must fully incorporate the new requirements into their policies and procedures, and actively monitor facility adherence.