LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A healthcare inspection conducted by the VA Office of Inspector General discovered that the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare facility failed to follow state policies.
According to the OIG report, the Las Vegas healthcare facility was holding a patient against their will for 48 hours.
Allegations against the facility claim staff did not follow the “informed consent and against medical advice” discharge process.
The OIG reported a patient voluntarily admitted themself and requested help with substance withdrawal.
The patient was admitted to the facility’s locked inpatient mental health unit.
According to the investigation, the patient complained about the restrictive environment before verbally requesting a against medical advice (AMA) discharge.
The patient submitted a written AMA request form two days after being admitted.
Records indicate the patient was discharged on their third day of hospitalization.
The OIG found that staff failed to have an informed consent discussion with the patient before discharge.
This protocol is a medical center policy (MCP) in accordance with Nevada state law and the Veterans Health Administration.
The investigation claimed the patient’s health began to decline in the months following the discharge.
According to Nevada state law, patients who voluntarily admit themselves must be released immediately after a written release request is submitted.
The OIG provided several recommendations to the Facility Director.
Those recommendations include reviewing and updating inpatient mental health unit MCPs and revising and approving policies to meet state law requirements.
The report states that medical staff must be educated on revised policies by Dec. 31, 2024.
,
Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.
