The U.S. Office of Inspector General (OIG) said it has cleared the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Salem, VA, following allegations that its interventional radiology (IR) procedures were being performed by inadequately trained personnel.
The Salem VAMC was inspected at the request of Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) based on allegations that IR procedures at the facility were being performed by a radiologist with inadequate training, that the facility lacked adequate medical and surgical support for patients who developed complications after interventional radiology procedures, and that the facility lacked a formal training and competency program for IR nurses and technologists.
OIG said it was unable to substantiate the allegations. The agency did not find inadequate interventional radiologist training, and all educational, training, and licensure credentials for the individual were in place. Also, the facility did not lack medical and surgical support for patients who develop complications, OIG said.
Finally, a formal training and competency program for IR nurses and technicians was found to be intact. The agency made no recommendations.
