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Report File
Date Issued
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-06-19-00330
Report Description

In recent years, IHS has had a number of cases of healthcare providers abusing patients under facility care, including a pediatrician who was convicted of multiple counts of child sexual abuse. In February 2019, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services requested that OIG assess IHS policies and procedures for preventing, reporting, and addressing patient abuse.

Report Type
Inspection / Evaluation
Agency Wide
Yes
Number of Recommendations
5
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
Additional Details
https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-06-19-00330.asp

Open Recommendations

This report has 5 open recommendations.
Recommendation Number Significant Recommendation Recommended Questioned Costs Recommended Funds for Better Use Additional Details
6142 Yes $0 $0

IHS should extend policies to address more types of perpetrators, victims, and abuse;

6146 Yes $0 $0

IHS should conduct additional outreach to Tribal communities to inform them of patient rights, solicit community concerns, and address barriers to reporting of patient abuse.

6143 Yes $0 $0

IHS should ensure that the new incident reporting system is effective and addresses the risks identified in the current system;

6144 Yes $0 $0

IHS should designate a central owner in IHS headquarters to ensure clear roles and responsibilities for shared ownership in implementing patient protection policies, and managing and responding to abuse reports;

6145 Yes $0 $0

IHS should continue to actively promote an organizational culture of transparency and work to resolve barriers to staff reporting of abuse

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

United States