Open Recommendations

The Facility Director considers consulting with the Office of Mental Health to clarify guidelines for design elements such as artwork on the inpatient unit.

The Facility Director considers alternatives to outdoor access for the inpatient unit, such as those identified in VA’s Design Guide for Inpatient Mental Health & Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program Facilities.

The Facility Director develops and implements written processes to monitor and track compliance with state laws for involuntary hospitalization and consults with the Office of General Counsel to ensure processes are consistent with applicable laws.

The Chief of Staff ensures documentation of informed consent discussions between the prescriber and veteran on the risks and benefits of newly prescribed medications.

The Chief of Staff ensures veterans’ discharge instructions are written in easy-to-understand language and include the follow-up mental health appointment location, the purpose of each medication, and how the medication is supposed to be taken.

The Facility Director ensures the Interdisciplinary Safety Inspection Team adheres to Veterans Health Administration requirements, including recording membership and attendance for Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist inspections.

The Veterans Integrated Service Network Director implements processes to ensure the Veterans Integrated Service Network Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist Oversight Team provides facility guidance consistent with Veterans Health Administration requirements.

The Facility Director implements processes to ensure Interdisciplinary Safety Inspection Team staff accurately identify and document safety hazards within the Patient Safety Assessment Tool.

The Facility Director ensures the Mental Health Executive Council operates in accordance with Veterans Health Administration requirements.

The Chief of Mental Health ensures compliance with Veterans Health Administration requirements for a full-time local recovery coordinator.

The Chief of Mental Health ensures a minimum of four hours of recovery-oriented, interdisciplinary programming on weekdays and weekends on the inpatient mental health unit.

The Facility Director considers consulting with the Office of Mental Health to clarify guidelines for design elements such as artwork on the inpatient unit.

The Facility Director considers alternatives to outdoor access for the inpatient unit, such as those identified in VAs Design Guide for Inpatient Mental Health & Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program Facilities.

The Facility Director develops and implements written processes to monitor and track compliance with state laws for involuntary hospitalization and consults with the Office of General Counsel to ensure processes are consistent with applicable laws.

The Chief of Staff ensures documentation of informed consent discussions between the prescriber and veteran on the risks and benefits of newly prescribed medications.

The Chief of Staff ensures veterans discharge instructions are written in easy-to-understand language and include the follow-up mental health appointment location, the purpose of each medication, and how the medication is supposed to be taken.

The Facility Director ensures the Interdisciplinary Safety Inspection Team adheres to Veterans Health Administration requirements, including recording membership and attendance for Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist inspections.

Develop and implement a process to identify mailpieces that have been left behind on the workroom floor and in equipment after operations are completed at the Shreveport Processing and Distribution Center.

Develop and implement a process to verify that all delayed mail is reported in the Mail Condition Visualization system daily at the Shreveport Processing and Distribution Center.

Develop and implement a process to monitor and verify that all mail containers have accurate labels at the Shreveport Processing and Distribution Center and Package Support Annex.

Properly reconcile the Surface Visibility scanners in Ethos and at the facility and take measurable actions to retrieve all lost scanners at the Shreveport Processing and Distribution Center.

Implement controls to monitor and secure Surface Visibility scanners, including a sign out process at the Shreveport Processing and Distribution Center and Package Support Annex.

Verify that all drivers are using wheel chocks at the Shreveport Processing and Distribution Center and Package Support Annex.

Verify that all identified facility repairs are completed at the Shreveport Processing and Distribution Center and Package Support Annex.

Verify that fire extinguishers are provided, mounted, and inspected monthly and annually at the Shreveport Package Support Annex.