# Deficiencies in Select Community Care Consult (Stat) Processes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
> **Inspection / Evaluation** by Department of Veterans Affairs OIG · 2021-11-10
> *About: Department of Veterans Affairs*
## Report
- **Title:** Deficiencies in Select Community Care Consult (Stat) Processes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- **Submitting OIG:** Department of Veterans Affairs OIG
- **Component agency:** Department of Veterans Affairs
- **Type:** Inspection / Evaluation
- **Publication date:** 2021-11-10

## Summary

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a national review of stat community care consults generated during the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate consult processes. Patient involvement in care urgency disagreements and reporting of adverse events in community care were also reviewed. When the OIG identified deficiencies in processes, electronic health records (EHRs) of the patients at issue were further examined for potential negative outcomes.


## Recommendations

- **Rec 01** (Closed): The Under Secretary for Health evaluates community care resources, facility practices, and Veterans Health Administration requirements related to stat community care consult processes and takes action as warranted to ensure that patients receive…
- **Rec 02** (Closed): The Under Secretary for Health clarifies guidance to VA medical facilities for stat community care consults including the timeliness of clinical review and approval, retrieval of medical records, and administrative closure.
- **Rec 03** (Closed): The Under Secretary for Health issues guidance to VA medical facilities regarding the override process for stat community care consults to include collaboration expected between the referring provider and the designee.
- **Rec 04** (Closed): The Under Secretary for Health evaluates patient involvement in decision-making regarding clinical reviewers’ modification of the urgency status of stat community care consults to determine if the process is in alignment with Veterans Health…
- **Rec 05** (Closed): The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the time frame for adjudicating and communicating clinical appeals, determines applicability to the 24-hour requirement for completing stat community care consults, and takes action as warranted.
- **Rec 06** (Closed): The Under Secretary for Health evaluates adverse event reporting processes in community care, including a review of guidance provided in the VHA National Patient Safety Improvement Handbook, 1050.01 and the VHA Patient Safety Events in Community Care…
## Source
- [oversight.gov report page](https://www.oversight.gov/reports/deficiencies-select-community-care-consult-stat-processes-during-covid-19-pandemic)
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