“The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is expanding the role of Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in information technology and contracting decisions in order to improve management and oversight at VISN medical centers, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report.”
“The VHA has also standardized the VISN governance process for more effective oversight and to address poorly performing VISNs, which include 18 regional healthcare networks overseeing 172 medical centers within defined geographic areas.”
“However, the GAO said that the VHA lacked a comprehensive policy to define VISN roles and responsibilities for managing and overseeing medical centers. This makes it difficult for the VHA to conduct effective oversight to ensure adequate monitoring of VISN activities and facilities takes place, the report observed…”
“The GAO recommended that VHA (1) develop a process to assess the overall performance of VISNs in managing and overseeing medical centers, (2) establish a comprehensive policy that clearly defines VISN roles and responsibilities for managing and overseeing medical centers, and (3) establish a process to routinely oversee VISN staffing.”
“Responding to the recommendations, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) said that VHA is currently simplifying its governance structure to enable employees to make decisions at the appropriate level, moving decision making closer to the point of care…” Read the full article here.
Source: VHA Boosts VISN Role in Medical Center IT, Contracting Decisions – By Fred Donovan, June 21, 2019. HIT Infrastructure.
