Use and Oversight of the Emergency Caches Were Limited during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Review · Department of Veterans Affairs OIG · 2021-06-09 · about Department of Veterans Affairs
Report
Title
Use and Oversight of the Emergency Caches Were Limited during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Submitting OIG
Department of Veterans Affairs OIG
Component agency
Department of Veterans Affairs
Type
Review
Publication date
2021-06-09
Summary
The OIG assessed how effectively VA managed its emergency caches during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. These caches contain a standard supply of drugs and medical supplies, including some personal protective equipment, for use during a public health emergency.The review team found that use and oversight of the emergency caches were limited. Only nine of 144 medical facilities activated their emergency caches during the review period (February through June 2020).
Recommendations (3)
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Status
Text
1
Closed
The OIG recommended that the under secretary for health initiate efforts to revise or amend VHA Directive 1047 to clarify when changes to emergency cache activation procedures are appropriate, and develop the communication and documentation…
2
Closed
The OIG recommended that the under secretary for health establish minimum time frames, for example by assessing Emergency Pharmacy Service’s data on the typical length of time it takes to replenish emergency cache inventory items, by which the…
3
Closed
The OIG recommended that the under secretary for health make sure that the Emergency Pharmacy Service and the Watch Office are maintaining accurate and complete records of emergency cache activations.