The Lebanon VA medical center received positive reviews from three separate external inspections recently.
The inspections were performed by the Joint Commission, the Long Term Care Institute and the Veterans Administration Central Office.
“We welcome the public transparency and opportunity to improve identified through these external inspections – it makes us a stronger organization while reinforcing public trust in the quality of care we provide,” medical center director Robert W. Callahan Jr. said in a release. “It is very gratifying when independent surveyors recognize our local outcomes as national best practices.”
The Joint Commission accreditation inspection of the new Residential Recovery Center reported no findings for improvement and no responses required. The surveyor recognized the staff and care provided to Veterans with praise for the new environment and individualized care platform. Two suggestions were offered to clarify documentation during the review, and action was taken immediately.
The Joint Commission is an independent organization that accredits healthcare facilities nationwide.
In addition, a team of inspectors from the Long Term Care Institute was recently on campus for an unannounced three-day review. This detailed inspection included all aspects of long-term care and found no system-based findings. Four minor suggestions related to documentation were given, and all were addressed.
Nationally, the Veterans Health Administration contracts with LTCI to annually inspect VA’s long term care/nursing home programs to the national Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Finally, a team from the VA Central Office in Washington, D.C., and contracted subject matter experts inspected the medical center’s boiler-plant operations. The purpose of the inspection was to ensure compliance with safety requirements and to recognize best practices for national implementation.
The local VA was selected for the visit based on its exceptional reputation, past successful inspection results, and potential for national best practices. A number of best practices were discussed and identified which will be considered by the Agency for national policy changes and adopted nationally.
The Lebanon VA Medical Center is one of 152 medical centers across the United States which are dedicated to serving the unique needs of America’s Veterans.
