OIG inspects GC VA health system

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a rapid response inspection to evaluate allegations of inadequate intensivist coverage in the intensive care unit (ICU) and other Surgery Service concerns at the VA Gulf Coast Healthcare System (System) in Biloxi, Miss. The alleged conditions potentially placed patients at ongoing risk included not having full-time intensivist coverage in the ICU; and patients in the ICU dying from complications as the result of inadequate intensivist staffing. The Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 16 in Jackson, Miss., inspection of intensivist staffing and other surgery-related issues had not remedied the situation, according to a report from the OIG. An allegation of poor quality of care by a thoracic surgeon was to be addressed in a separate report. (Source: VA Inspector General report 03/29/18) The System, part of VISN 16, is a tertiary care hospital complex in Biloxi, Miss., and community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in Mobile, Ala.; Pensacola, Eglin Air Force Base and Panama City, Fla. The System and associated CBOCs served more than 68,340 veterans in FY 2016. The System operated 256 beds, including 83 inpatient beds, 72 domiciliary beds, and 101 community living center beds in FY 2016. The System is affiliated with Keesler AFB in Mississippi, Louisiana State and Tulane University in Louisiana, and University of South Alabama.