Las Vegas, NV – A recent inspection conducted by the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) has revealed that the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare facility failed to comply with state policies regarding patient treatment.

The OIG report detailed an incident where a patient was involuntarily held for 48 hours despite repeatedly requesting a discharge. The patient, who had voluntarily admitted themselves for substance withdrawal, was placed in a locked inpatient mental health unit.

Despite multiple verbal and written requests, the patient was not discharged until their third day of hospitalization. The OIG found that the facility’s staff failed to follow the required informed consent and against medical advice (AMA) discharge process.

Nevada state law mandates that patients who voluntarily admit themselves must be released immediately upon submitting a written discharge request. The OIG’s investigation revealed that the patient’s health declined following the discharge.

In response to the findings, the OIG has provided several recommendations to the Facility Director. These include reviewing and updating inpatient mental health unit policies, revising and approving policies to align with state law requirements, and ensuring that medical staff are educated on the revised policies by the end of the year.

The OIG’s report highlights the importance of adherence to state laws and policies in healthcare settings, particularly when it comes to patient rights and treatment. The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare facility will need to take swift action to address the deficiencies identified in the inspection.

Source: Fox 5 Vegas