Added Measures Could Reduce Veterans’ Risk of COVID-19 Exposure in Transitional Housing
Review · Department of Veterans Affairs OIG · 2020-12-18 · about Department of Veterans Affairs
Report
Title
Added Measures Could Reduce Veterans’ Risk of COVID-19 Exposure in Transitional Housing
Submitting OIG
Department of Veterans Affairs OIG
Component agency
Department of Veterans Affairs
Type
Review
Publication date
2020-12-18
Summary
The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviewed the measures taken by the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) Homeless Program Office, medical facilities, and community service providers to mitigate COVID-19 risks in transitional housing programs for veterans experiencing homelessness.The OIG found that while transitional housing service providers successfully implemented four of six specific Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 risk mitigation measures, the providers could have strengthened implementation of two others.VHA and service provider staff said the Homel
Recommendations (4)
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Status
Text
1
Closed
Issue guidance to medical facility staff on how the COVID 19 At Risk Veteran Report should be used to help service providers identify high risk veterans and educate those veterans on the need for extra precautions.
2
Closed
Ensure medical facility staff are monitoring and assisting with the service providers’ implementation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, including updates.
3
Closed
Identify service providers that have not fully implemented the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s six feet social distancing guidelines, particularly for sleeping and meal areas, and encourage them to implement alternative measures or use VA…
4
Closed
Monitor the availability of personal protective equipment at service providers’ residences, and help develop contingency plans in the event of a prolonged pandemic or surge.