OIG
California Rehabilitation Center Medical Inspection Report Cycle 4
Read the report at CDCR ↗
Robert A. Barton
Office of the Inspector General
Inspector General
California Rehabilitation Center
Medical Inspection Results
Cycle 4
July 2015
Medical Inspection Unit Page 1
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Office of the Inspector General
CALIFORNIA REHABILITATION CENTER
Medical Inspection Results
Cycle 4
Robert A. Barton
Inspector General
Roy W. Wesley
Chief Deputy Inspector General
Shaun R. Spillane
Public Information Officer
July 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................. i
Overall Assessment: Adequate ....................................................................................... iii
Clinical Case Review and OIG Clinician Inspection Results ......................................... iii
Compliance Testing Results ........................................................................................... iv
Population-Based Metrics ............................................................................................. viii
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1
About the Institution............................................................................................................................ 1
Objectives, Scope, and Methodology .................................................................................................. 5
Case Reviews ................................................................................................................................ 6
Patient Selection for Retrospective Case Reviews ................................................................. 6
Benefits and Limitations of Targeted Subpopulation Review ............................................... 7
Case Reviews Sampled .......................................................................................................... 8
Compliance Testing ...................................................................................................................... 9
Sampling Methods for Conducting Compliance Testing ....................................................... 9
Scoring of Compliance Testing Results ................................................................................. 9
Dashboard Comparisons ...................................................................................................... 10
Overall Quality Indicator Rating for Case Reviews and Compliance Testing ........................... 10
Population-Based Metrics ........................................................................................................... 10
Medical Inspection Results ............................................................................................................... 11
Primary (Clinical) Quality Indicators of Health Care ................................................................. 11
Access to Care ...................................................................................................................... 12
Case Review Results...................................................................................................... 12
Compliance Testing Results .......................................................................................... 12
CCHCS Dashboard Comparative Data .......................................................................... 13
Recommendation ........................................................................................................... 14
Diagnostic Services .............................................................................................................. 14
Case Review Results...................................................................................................... 14
Compliance Testing Results .......................................................................................... 15
Recommendation ........................................................................................................... 15
Emergency Services ............................................................................................................. 16
Case Review Results...................................................................................................... 16
Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 17
Health Information Management (Medical Records) .......................................................... 18
Case Review Results...................................................................................................... 18
Compliance Testing Results .......................................................................................... 20
CCHCS Dashboard Comparative Data .......................................................................... 21
Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 22
Health Care Environment .................................................................................................... 23
Compliance Testing Results .......................................................................................... 23
Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 25
Inter- and Intra-System Transfers ........................................................................................ 26
Case Review Results...................................................................................................... 27
Compliance Testing Results .......................................................................................... 29
Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 30
Medical Inspection Unit Table of Contents
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Pharmacy and Medication Management ............................................................................. 32
Case Review Results...................................................................................................... 32
Compliance Testing Results .......................................................................................... 33
CCHCS Dashboard Comparative Data .......................................................................... 36
Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 36
Preventive Services .............................................................................................................. 37
Compliance Testing Results .......................................................................................... 37
CCHCS Dashboard Comparative Data .......................................................................... 38
Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 39
Quality of Nursing Performance .......................................................................................... 39
Case Review Results...................................................................................................... 40
Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 40
Quality of Provider Performance ......................................................................................... 41
Case Review Results...................................................................................................... 41
Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 44
Specialized Medical Housing ............................................................................................... 44
Case Review Results...................................................................................................... 44
Compliance Testing Results .......................................................................................... 46
Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 46
Specialty Services ................................................................................................................. 47
Case Review Results...................................................................................................... 47
Compliance Testing Results .......................................................................................... 48
Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 49
Secondary (Administrative) Quality Indicators of Health Care ................................................. 50
Internal Monitoring, Quality Improvement, and Administrative Operations ...................... 50
Compliance Testing Results .......................................................................................... 50
CCHCS Dashboard Comparative Data .......................................................................... 52
Recommendation ........................................................................................................... 52
Job Performance, Training, Licensing, and Certifications .................................................. 53
Compliance Testing Results .......................................................................................... 53
Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 54
Population-Based Metrics ........................................................................................................... 54
Appendix A—Compliance Test Results ........................................................................................... 60
Appendix B—Clinical Data .............................................................................................................. 74
Appendix C—Compliance Sampling Methodology ......................................................................... 78
California Correctional Health Care Services’ Response ................................................................. 83
Medical Inspection Unit Table of Contents
Office of the Inspector General State of California
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES
Health Care Quality Indicators ............................................................................................................ ii
CRC Executive Summary Table ........................................................................................................ ix
CRC Health Care Staffing Resources—February 2015 ...................................................................... 2
CRC Master Registry Data as of June 15, 2015 .................................................................................. 3
Abbreviations Used in This Report ..................................................................................................... 4
Access to Care—CRC Dashboard and OIG Compliance Results ..................................................... 14
Health Information Management—CRC Dashboard and OIG Compliance Results ........................ 21
Pharmacy and Medication Management—CRC Dashboard and OIG Compliance Results ............ 36
Preventive Services—CRC Dashboard and OIG Compliance Results ............................................. 38
Internal Monitoring, Quality Improvement, and Administrative Operations—
CRC Dashboard and OIG Compliance Results .......................................................................... 52
Table 1—CRC Results Compared to State and National HEDIS Scores.......................................... 58
Table 2—CRC Results Compared to Medi-Cal Minimum and Maximum Performance ................. 59
Medical Inspection Unit List of Tables and Figures
Office of the Inspector General State of California
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As a result of the April 2001 Plata v. Brown federal court class action lawsuit, and under the
authority of California Penal Code Section 6126, which assigns the Office of the Inspector General
(OIG) responsibility for oversight of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
(CDCR), the OIG conducts a comprehensive inspection program to evaluate the delivery of medical
care at each of CDCR’s 35 adult prisons.
To further augment the breadth and quality of the OIG’s medical inspection program, for this fourth
cycle of inspections the OIG added a clinical case review component and significantly enhanced the
compliance portion of the inspection process from that used in prior cycles. In addition, the OIG
added a population-based metric comparison of selected Healthcare Effectiveness Data Information
Set (HEDIS) measures from other State and national health care organizations and compared that
data to similar results for California Rehabilitation Center (CRC).
From March to May 2015, the OIG performed its Cycle 4 medical inspection at CRC. The
inspection included in-depth reviews of 61 inmate-patient files conducted by clinicians as well as
reviews of documents from 389 inmate-patient files conducted by deputy inspectors general,
covering 90 objectively scored tests of compliance with policies and procedures applicable to the
delivery of medical care. The OIG assessed the case review and compliance results at CRC using
14 health care quality indicators applicable to the institution, made up of 12 primary clinical
indicators and 2 secondary administrative indicators. See the Health Care Quality Indicators table
on page ii. Based on that analysis, OIG experts made a considered and measured overall opinion
that the quality of health care was adequate.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Health Care Quality Indicators
All Institutions–
Fourteen Primary Indicators (Clinical) CRC Applicability
Applicability
Both case review
1–Access to Care All institutions
and compliance
Both case review
2–Diagnostic Services All institutions
and compliance
3–Emergency Services All institutions Case review only
4–Health Information Management Both case review
All institutions
(Medical Records) and compliance
5–Health Care Environment All institutions Compliance only
Both case review
6–Inter- and Intra-System Transfers All institutions
and compliance
Both case review
7–Pharmacy and Medication Management All institutions
and compliance
Female institutions
8–Prenatal and Post-Delivery Services Not Applicable
only
9–Preventive Services All institutions Compliance only
10–Quality of Nursing Performance All institutions Case review only
11–Quality of Provider Performance All institutions Case review only
Institutions with
12–Reception Center Arrivals Not Applicable
reception centers
All institutions with
13–Specialized Medical Housing Both case review
an OHU, CTC, SNF,
(OHU, CTC, SNF, Hospice) and compliance
or Hospice
Both case review
14–Specialty Services All institutions
and compliance
Two Secondary Indicators All Institutions–
CRC Applicability
(Administrative) Applicability
15–Internal Monitoring, Quality
Improvement, and Administrative All institutions Compliance only
Operations
16–Job Performance, Training, Licensing,
All institutions Compliance only
and Certifications
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Overall Assessment: Adequate
Based on the clinical case reviews, compliance testing, and
population-based metrics, the OIG’s overall assessment rating for
Overall Assessment
CRC was adequate. For the 12 primary (clinical) quality
Rating:
indicators applicable to CRC, the OIG found three proficient,
seven adequate, and two inadequate. For the two secondary
Adequate
(administrative) quality indicators, the OIG found one adequate
and one inadequate. To determine the overall assessment for
CRC, the OIG considered individual clinical ratings and
individual compliance question scores within each of the indicator categories, putting emphasis on
the primary indicators. Based on that analysis, OIG experts made a considered and measured overall
opinion about the quality of health care that was observed at CRC.
Clinical Case Review and OIG Clinician Inspection Results
The OIG’s clinical case review results contributed to CRC’s overall rating of adequate. The
clinicians’ case reviews sampled patients with high medical needs and included a review of more
than 1,191 patient care events. For the 12 primary indicators applicable to CRC, 10 were evaluated
by clinician case review; 2 were proficient, 7 were adequate, and 1 was inadequate. When
determining the overall adequacy of care, the OIG placed extra emphasis on the clinical nursing and
provider quality indicators, as adequate health care staff can sometimes overcome suboptimal
processes and programs. The opposite is not true, however; inadequate health care staff cannot
provide adequate care, even though the established processes and programs onsite may be adequate.
Program Strengths
• Medical management at CRC led with a strong commitment to excellence and continuous
quality improvement. Providers felt they were well supported by their management team.
• The institution employed providers of sufficient quality to help mitigate many of the
deficiencies identified in this report, especially with regard to health information
management (HIM) and nursing performance.
• During the period of review, CRC provided excellent access to primary care services.
• During the period of review, CRC provided excellent diagnostic services, with diagnostic
tests being performed, results being reviewed by providers, and patients being notified of
results in a timely manner.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
• CRC provided timely access to high quality emergency services.
• A number of specialty services were available onsite, including gastroenterology,
ophthalmology, optometry, and podiatry.
Program Weaknesses
Some of the major shortcomings found by the OIG clinicians during this inspection were as follows:
• Health information management was inadequate. Specifically, there were numerous
instances of mislabeled or misfiled records; hospital records and discharge summaries were
sometimes absent or incomplete; hospital and specialty reports were scanned into the
electronic Unit Health Record (eUHR) late; and certain providers’ notes were illegible.
These deficiencies markedly increased the risk of a lapse in care, especially when patients
transfer to other care providers.
• Several indicators showed a pattern of incomplete patient assessment or incomplete
documentation of health care records by nursing staff. Fortunately, provider performance
and a lower-risk population mitigated this potential risk to patients. These deficiencies
played a prominent role in at least three indicators’ ratings of adequate rather than
proficient.
• The annual nurse education and training for medication administration and management was
inadequate.
• The institution lacked an adequate process for reporting medication errors.
• There was one Adverse/Sentinel Event. Nursing staff failed to follow a provider’s order to
continually re-test a patient’s blood sugar on an hourly basis and administer insulin, as
needed. Three hours later, the patient’s blood sugar was extremely low. This adverse event
is further described within the Medical Inspection Results section of this report. Because of
the anecdotal description of these events, the OIG cautions against drawing inappropriate
conclusions regarding the institution based solely on adverse events.
Compliance Testing Results
The OIG’s compliance testing results contributed to CRC’s overall rating of adequate. Of the 14
total indicators of health care applicable to CRC, 11 were evaluated by compliance inspectors.
There were 90 individual compliance questions within those 11 indicators that tested CRC’s
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compliance with California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) policies and procedures.1
Those 90 questions are detailed in Appendix A—Compliance Test Results. The institution’s
inspection scores for the 11 applicable indicators ranged from 62.2 percent to 100 percent, with the
primary (clinical) indicator Health Care Environment receiving the lowest score, and the primary
(clinical) indicator Specialized Medical Housing receiving the highest. For the nine primary
indicators applicable to compliance testing, the OIG rated six proficient, one adequate, and two
inadequate. For the two secondary indicators, which involve administrative health care functions,
one was rated adequate and the other inadequate.
Program Strengths
As the CRC Executive Summary Table on page ix indicates, the institution’s compliance scores
were in the proficient range for the following six indicators: Access to Care (95.4 percent),
Diagnostic Services (91.1 percent), Inter- and Intra-System Transfers (95.3 percent), Preventive
Services (86.0 percent), Specialized Medical Housing (100 percent), and Specialty Services
(87.8 percent). The following are some of CRC’s strengths based on its compliance scores for
individual questions within all primary health care indicators:
• Nursing staff timely reviewed patient health service requests and timely completed
face-to-face visits.
• For patients who transferred into CRC from another CDCR institution, nursing staff
completed the initial health screening assessment on their day of arrival, and, for those
patients referred by nursing staff to a primary care provider (PCP), the patients were timely
seen by a PCP.
• Providers conducted timely follow-up appointments with patients who suffered from chronic
care illnesses, patients who requested a sick call appointment, and patients who returned to
the institution from a community hospital.
• The institution ensured that patients timely received their radiology, laboratory, and
pathology diagnostic services. In addition, providers reviewed and communicated radiology
and laboratory services test results to the patients within the required time frames.
• Non-dictated progress notes, initial health screening forms, and health care service request
forms were timely scanned into patients’ health record files, and for patients who returned to
the institution from a community hospital, their discharge reports were complete and timely
reviewed by a CRC provider.
1 The OIG used its own clinicians to provide clinical expert guidance for testing compliance in certain areas where
CCHCS policies and procedures did not specifically address an issue.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
• Clinics demonstrated adequate bulk medical supply storage and management protocols.
Also, clinical areas had sufficient quantities of hygiene supplies and properly sterilized
invasive and non-invasive medical equipment.
• Nursing staff timely administered newly ordered prescriptions to patients and ensured that
patients who transferred from one housing unit to another or who returned from a
community hospital received their prescribed medications without interruption.
• When handling medication, nursing staff who prepare and administer medication to patients
followed proper hand hygiene and administrative protocols.
• The main pharmacy properly stored refrigerated and non-refrigerated medications and
maintained an accurate record of custody over narcotic medications.
• The institution timely administered anti-tuberculosis medication to patients sick with
tuberculosis and was prompt in offering patients required preventive services screenings,
such as influenza vaccinations and screenings for colorectal cancer. In addition, patients
with chronic care illnesses were timely offered their required immunizations.
• For patients assigned to the Outpatient Housing Unit (OHU), nurses timely completed initial
patient assessments. Also, providers timely completed patients’ written history and physical
examinations upon admission and timely completed additional evaluations of patients at
required intervals.
• High-priority and routine specialty services appointments occurred timely and CRC’s
denials of providers’ requests for specialty services were made timely.
Some of the strengths identified within the two secondary administrative indicators included the
following:
• Monthly Quality Management Committee (QMC) meeting minutes were well documented
and indicated the QMC took steps to evaluate both clinical performance and the accuracy of
its Dashboard performance data.
• Providers, the pharmacist-in-charge (PIC), and the pharmacy had current licenses and
registrations; nursing staff were current on required training requirements, licenses, and
certifications.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Program Weaknesses
The institution received ratings in the inadequate range for the following primary indicators: Health
Information Management (68.9 percent) and Health Care Environment (62.2 percent). The
institution also received an inadequate rating in the secondary indicator Job Performance, Training,
Licensing, and Certifications (74.4 percent). The following are some of the weaknesses identified,
based on CRC’s compliance scores for individual questions within all primary health care
indicators:
• Providers did not always timely communicate the results of diagnostic pathology reports to
the patient.
• Some health care documents were incorrectly labeled in patients’ eUHRs. Also, the
institution did not always timely scan specialty services consultant reports and transcribed
provider progress notes into patients’ eUHRs. Further, clinical staff did not always legibly
sign or print their names on health care documents.
• Medical supply bulk storage locations in CRC’s central health facility were inadequate.
• Clinic common areas and exam rooms were not disinfected and cleaned as frequently as
required. In addition, clinics were missing equipment and supplies needed to properly
manage contaminated waste. Emergency response bags were not always inventoried
monthly and in some bags, essential items were either missing or expired. Also, the space or
configuration of furniture in some exam rooms was not optimal for conducting clinical
exams; one exam room did not provide auditory or visual privacy for patients. Finally, some
clinicians followed poor hand hygiene practices during encounters with patients.
• At clinic and medication line locations, nursing staff did not always follow standard
procedures when storing and administering non-narcotic medications. Further, nursing staff
exhibited poor medication security controls over the custody of narcotic medications.
• The institution demonstrated poor general security in the main pharmacy by failing to keep
all pharmacy doors locked. Also, when medication errors were reported, the PIC did not
always timely complete a Medication Error Follow-Up Report upon notification of the error.
• Patients’ annual tuberculosis screening results were read and documented by licensed
vocational nurses rather than registered nurses, as required by policy. Also, nursing staff did
not always monitor the treatment and condition of patients who received anti-tuberculosis
medications.
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• The institution did not always provide timely specialty service appointments to patients who
transferred into CRC from other institutions that had previously approved or scheduled
specialty service appointments.
Some of the weaknesses identified within the two secondary administrative indicators included the
following:
• Emergency Medical Response Review Committee meeting minutes were not always signed
by the warden and chief executive officer.
• Supervising nurses did not discuss the results of their nursing review evaluations with
nursing staff.
• The institution did not always perform complete structured clinical performance appraisals
for its PCPs.
• Not all custody managers maintained current medical emergency response certifications.
Population-Based Metrics
In general, CRC performed well for population-based metrics. For the comprehensive diabetes care
measures, CRC outperformed other State and national organizations with its high percentage of
diabetics considered to be under good control and low percentage of diabetics considered to be
under poor control; as well as its high percentage of patients considered to have well-controlled
blood pressure. Monitoring and eye exam rates for diabetic patients were similar to Kaiser
Permanente (statewide) rates, typically one of the highest scoring health organizations in California.
With regard to immunization measures, CRC’s rates were comparable to rates reported by Kaiser
Permanente and national Commercial health plans (based on data obtained from health maintenance
organizations). Although when compared to the Veterans Affairs (VA) rate for influenza shots for
adults age 50 and older, CRC scored lower, the institution’s lower performance was attributed to the
high number of patient refusals. For pneumococcal immunizations, CRC matched the VA rate. With
regard to colorectal cancer screening rates, CRC’s rates were similar to Kaiser Permanente and VA
rates, and significantly higher than the Commercial and Medicare rates. Overall, CRC’s
performance demonstrated by the population-based metrics indicated that the chronic care program
was well-run and operating as intended.
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The CRC Executive Summary Table below lists the quality indicators the OIG inspected and
assessed during the clinical case reviews and objective compliance tests, and provides the
institution’s rating in each area. The overall indicator ratings were based on a consensus decision by
the OIG’s clinicians and non-clinical inspectors.
CRC Executive Summary Table
Case
Compliance Overall Indicator
Primary Indicators (Clinical) Review
Score Rating
Rating
Access to Care Proficient 95.4% Proficient
Diagnostic Services Proficient 91.1% Proficient
Emergency Services Adequate Not Applicable Adequate
Health Information Management
Inadequate 68.9% Inadequate
(Medical Records)
Health Care Environment Not Applicable 62.2% Inadequate
Inter- and Intra-System Transfers Adequate 95.3% Adequate
Pharmacy and Medication Management Adequate 80.0% Adequate
Preventive Services Not Applicable 86.0% Proficient
Quality of Nursing Performance Adequate Not Applicable Adequate
Quality of Provider Performance Adequate Not Applicable Adequate
Specialized Medical Housing Adequate 100.0% Adequate
Specialty Services Adequate 87.8% Adequate
Note: Prenatal and Post-Delivery Services, and Reception Center Arrivals indicators did not apply to this institution.
Case
Compliance Overall Indicator
Secondary Indicators (Administrative) Review
Score Rating
Rating
Internal Monitoring, Quality Improvement,
Not Applicable 84.5% Adequate
and Administrative Operations
Job Performance, Training, Licensing, and
Not Applicable 74.4% Inadequate
Certifications
Note: Ratings for quality indicators range from proficient (greater than 85.0 percent), adequate (75.0 percent to
85.0 percent), or inadequate (below 75.0 percent).
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
INTRODUCTION
Under the authority of California Penal Code Section 6126, which assigns the Office of the
Inspector General (OIG) responsibility for oversight of the California Department of Corrections
and Rehabilitation (CDCR), and at the request of the federal Receiver, the OIG developed a
comprehensive medical inspection program to evaluate the delivery of medical care at each of
CDCR’s 35 adult prisons. For this fourth cycle of inspections, the OIG augmented the breadth and
quality of its inspection program used in prior cycles, adding a clinical case review component and
significantly enhancing the compliance component of the program.
The California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) was the third Cycle 4 medical inspection completed.
During the inspection process, the OIG assessed the delivery of medical care to patients for 12
primary clinical health care indicators and 2 secondary administrative health care indicators
applicable to the institution under inspection. It is important to note that while the primary quality
indicators represent the clinical care being provided by the institution at the time of the inspection,
the secondary quality indicators are purely administrative and are not reflective of the actual clinical
care provided.
The OIG is committed to reporting on each institution’s delivery of medical care to assist in
identifying areas for improvement, but the federal court will ultimately determine whether any
institution’s medical care meets constitutional standards.
ABOUT THE INSTITUTION
California Rehabilitation Center primarily houses medium security general population Level II male
inmates. The primary goal is to provide an atmosphere of safety and security to the public, visitors,
staff, and inmates. In addition to staffing the facility, CRC provides over 100 correctional custody
personnel to transport and guard patients sent out to Patton State Hospital. CRC also provides Fire
Suppression, Conservation, and Community Service assistance to the public.
California Rehabilitation Center runs six medical clinics where the staff handle non-urgent requests
for medical services. CRC also treats inmates needing urgent or emergency care in its triage and
treatment area and provides inpatient care at its outpatient housing unit. In addition, patients who
leave or arrive at the institution are screened in the prison’s receiving and release clinic. CRC has
been designated as a “basic care prison,” located in a rural area away from tertiary care centers and
specialty care providers whose services are likely to be used frequently by higher risk patients.
Based on staffing data the OIG obtained from the institution, CRC’s vacancy rate among licensed
medical managers, primary care providers (PCPs), supervisors, and rank and file nurses was
21 percent in February 2015, with the highest vacancy percentages among medical managers (40
percent) and nursing staff (24 percent). At the time of the OIG’s inspection, both the Chief Nursing
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Executive and Director of Nursing positions were vacant, which contributed to the high vacancy
rate reflected for managers. Both positions have been subsequently filled. Of the 16.2 vacant
nursing positions, 7.8 were Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) positions. These LVN positions have
been allocated to CRC’s Care Management Program to align with the new acuity-based nursing
model, which has not yet been activated. As of February 2015, CRC had 88.2 budgeted health care
positions, of which 69.5 (79 percent) were filled.
CRC Health Care Staffing Resources—February 2015
Primary Care Nursing
Management Nursing Staff Totals
Providers Supervisors
Description Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
Authorized
5 6% 7.5 9% 9.5 11% 66.2 75% 88.2 100%
Positions
Filled Positions 3 60% 7 93% 9.5 100% 50 76% 69.5 79%
Vacancies 2 40% 0.5 7% 0 0% 16.2 24% 18.7 21%
Recent Hires
(within 12 0 0% 0 0% 2 21% 4 8% 6 9%
months)
Staff Utilized
0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 17 34% 17 24%
from Registry
Redirected Staff
(to Non-Patient 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Care Areas)
Staff under
Disciplinary 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 9 18% 9 13%
Review
Staff on
Long-term 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 2 4% 2 3%
Medical Leave
Note: CRC Health Care Staffing Resources data was not validated by the OIG.
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As of June 15, 2015, California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) data showed that CRC
had 2,419 inmate-patients. Within that total population, 1.0 percent were designated as high-risk
Level I, and 3.1 percent were designated as high-risk Level II. High-risk patients are at greater risk
for poor health outcomes than average patients. The chart below illustrates the inmate-patient
breakdown.
CRC Master Registry Data as of June 15, 2015
Risk Level # of Inmate-Patients Percentage
High I 24 1.0%
High II 76 3.1%
Medium 1,391 57.5%
Low 928 38.4%
Total 2,419 100%
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
For ease of reference, the following is a table of common abbreviations that may be used in this
report.
Abbreviations Used in This Report
ACLS Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
AHA American Heart Association HTN Hypertension
ASU Administrative Segregation Unit INH Isoniazid (anti-tuberculosis medication)
BLS Basic Life Support IV Intravenous
CBC Complete Blood Count KOP Keep-on-Person (in taking medications)
CC Chief Complaint LPT Licensed Psychiatric Technician
CCHCS California Correctional Health Care Services LVN Licensed Vocational Nurse
CCP Chronic Care Program MAR Medication Administration Record
California Department of Corrections and
CDCR MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Rehabilitation
CEO Chief Executive Officer MD Medical Doctor
CHF Congestive Heart Failure NA Nurse Administered (in taking medications)
CME Chief Medical Executive N/A Not Applicable
CMP Comprehensive Metabolic (Chemistry) Panel NP Nurse Practitioner
CNA Certified Nursing Assistant OB Obstetrician
CNE Chief Nurse Executive OHU Outpatient Housing Unit
C/O Complains of OIG Office of the Inspector General
COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease P&P Policies and Procedures (CCHCS)
CP&S Chief Physician and Surgeon PA Physician Assistant
CPR Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation PCP Primary Care Provider
CSE Chief Support Executive POC Point of Contact
CT Computerized Tomography PPD Purified Protein Derivative
CTC Correctional Treatment Center PRN As Needed (in taking medications)
DM Diabetes Mellitus RN Registered Nurse
Directly Observed Therapy (in taking
DOT Rx Prescription
medications)
Dx Diagnosis SNF Skilled Nursing Facility
Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan,
EKG Electrocardiogram SOAPE
Education
ENT Ear, Nose and Throat SOMS Strategic Offender Management System
ER Emergency Room S/P Status post
eUHR electronic Unit Health Record TB Tuberculosis
FTF Face-to-Face TTA Triage and Treatment Area
History and Physical (reception center
H&P UA Urinalysis
examination)
HIM Health Information Management UM Utilization Management
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
OBJECTIVES, SCOPE, AND METHODOLOGY
In designing the medical inspection program, the OIG reviewed CCHCS policies and procedures,
relevant court orders, and guidance developed by the American Correctional Association. The OIG
also reviewed professional literature on correctional medical care; reviewed standardized
performance measures used by the health care industry; consulted with clinical experts; and met
with stakeholders from the court, the Receiver’s office, CDCR, the Office of the Attorney General,
and the Prison Law Office to discuss the nature and scope of the OIG’s inspection program. With
input from these stakeholders, the OIG developed a medical inspection program that evaluates
medical care delivery by combining clinical case reviews of patient files, objective tests of
compliance with policies and procedures, and an analysis of outcomes for certain population-based
metrics.
To maintain a metric-oriented inspection program that evaluates medical care delivery consistently
at each State prison, the OIG identified 14 primary (clinical) and 2 secondary (administrative)
quality indicators of health care to measure. The primary quality indicators cover clinical categories
directly relating to the health care provided to patients, whereas the secondary quality indicators
address the administrative functions that support a health care delivery system. The 14 primary
quality indicators are Access to Care, Diagnostic Services, Emergency Services, Health Information
Management (Medical Records), Health Care Environment, Inter- and Intra-System Transfers,
Pharmacy and Medication Management, Prenatal and Post-Delivery Services, Preventive Services,
Quality of Nursing Performance, Quality of Provider Performance, Reception Center Arrivals,
Specialized Medical Housing (OHU, CTC, SNF, Hospice), and Specialty Services. The two
secondary quality indicators are Internal Monitoring, Quality Improvement, and Administrative
Operations; and Job Performance, Training, Licensing, and Certifications.
The OIG rates each of the quality indicators applicable to the institution under inspection based on
case reviews conducted by OIG clinicians and compliance tests conducted by OIG deputy
inspectors general. The ratings may be derived from the case review results alone, the compliance
test results alone, or a combination of both these information sources. For example, the ratings for
the primary quality indicators Quality of Nursing Performance and Quality of Provider
Performance are derived entirely from the case review results, while the ratings for both of the
secondary quality indicators are derived entirely from compliance test results. As another example,
primary quality indicators such as Diagnostic Services and Specialty Services receive ratings
derived from both sources.
Consistent with the OIG’s agreement with the Receiver, the report only addresses the conditions
found related to medical care criteria. The OIG does not review for efficiency and economy of
operations. However, if the OIG learns of an inmate-patient needing immediate care, the OIG
notifies the Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare Services and requests a status report. Similarly, if
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the OIG learns of significant departures from community standards, it may report such departures to
the institution’s Chief Executive Officer or to CCHCS. Because these matters involve confidential
medical information protected by State and federal privacy laws, specific identifying details related
to any such cases are not included in the OIG’s public report.
In all areas, the OIG is alert for opportunities to make appropriate recommendations for
improvement. Such opportunities may be present regardless of the scoring awarded to any particular
quality indicator; therefore, recommendations for improvement should not necessarily be
interpreted as indicative of deficient medical care delivery.
CASE REVIEWS
The OIG’s Cycle 4 medical inspections have added case reviews in which OIG physicians and
nurses evaluate selected cases in detail to determine the overall quality of health care provided to
the inmate-patients. The OIG’s clinicians perform a retrospective chart review of selected patient
files to evaluate the care given by an institution’s primary care providers (PCPs) and nurses.
Retrospective chart review is a well-established review process used by health care organizations
that perform peer reviews and patient death reviews. California Correctional Health Care Services
currently uses retrospective chart review as part of its death review process and in its
pattern-of-practice reviews; CCHCS uses a more limited form of retrospective chart review when
performing appraisals of individual PCPs.
PATIENT SELECTION FOR RETROSPECTIVE CASE REVIEWS
Because retrospective chart review is time-consuming and requires qualified health care
professionals to perform it, patient selection must be considered carefully. Accordingly, the group
of patients the OIG targeted for chart review carried the highest clinical risk and utilized the
majority of medical services. A majority of the patients selected for retrospective chart review were
classified by CCHCS as high-risk patients. The reason the OIG targeted these patients for review is
twofold:
1. The goal of retrospective chart review is to evaluate all aspects of the health care system.
Statewide, high-risk/high-utilization patients consume medical services at a disproportionate
rate; 9 percent of the patient population who are considered high-risk account for more than
half of the institution’s pharmaceutical, specialty, community hospital, and emergency costs.
2. Selecting this target group for chart review provides a significantly greater opportunity to
evaluate all the various aspects of the health care delivery system at an institution.
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Underlying the choice of high-risk patients for detailed case review are three assumptions:
1. If the institution is able to provide adequate clinical care to the most challenging patients
with multiple complex and interdependent medical problems, it will be providing adequate
care to patients with less complicated health care issues. Because clinical expertise is
required to determine whether the institution has provided adequate clinical care, the OIG
utilizes experienced correctional physicians and registered nurses to perform this analysis.
2. The health of less complex patients is more likely to be affected by processes such as timely
appointment scheduling, medication management, routine health screening, and
immunizations. For this reason, the OIG simultaneously performs a broad compliance
review.
3. Patient charts generated during death reviews, sentinel events (an unexpected occurrence
involving death or serious injury, or risk thereof), and hospitalizations are mostly of
high-risk patients.
BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS OF TARGETED SUBPOPULATION REVIEW
Because the selected patients utilize the broadest range of services offered by the health care
system, retrospective chart review provides adequate data for a qualitative assessment of the most
vital system processes (referred to by the OIG as “primary quality indicators”). The OIG maintains
that retrospective chart review provides an accurate qualitative assessment of the relevant primary
quality indicators as applied to the targeted subpopulation of high-risk and high-utilization patients.
While this targeted subpopulation does not represent the prison population as a whole, the OIG
considers the ability of the institution to provide adequate care to this subpopulation a crucial and
vital indicator of how the institution provides health care to its entire patient population. Simply put,
if the institution’s medical system does not adequately care for those patients needing the most care,
then it is not fulfilling its obligations, even if it takes good care of patients with less complex
medical needs.
Since the targeted subpopulation does not represent the institution’s general prison population, the
OIG cautions against inappropriate extrapolation of conclusions from the retrospective chart
reviews to the general population. For example, if the high-risk diabetic patients reviewed have
poorly-controlled diabetes, one cannot conclude that the entire diabetic population is inadequately
controlled. Similarly, if the high-risk diabetic patients under review have poor outcomes and require
significant specialty interventions, one cannot conclude that the entire diabetic population is having
similarly poor outcomes.
Nonetheless, the health care system’s response to this subpopulation can be accurately evaluated
and yields valuable systems information. In the above example, if the health care system is
providing appropriate diabetic monitoring, medication therapy, and specialty referrals for the
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high-risk patients reviewed, then it can be reasonably inferred that the health care system is also
providing appropriate diabetic services to the entire diabetic subpopulation. However, if these same
high-risk patients needing monitoring, medications, and referrals are generally not getting those
services, it is likely that the health care system is not providing appropriate diabetic services to the
greater diabetic subpopulation.
CASE REVIEWS SAMPLED
As indicated in Appendix B, Table B-4: CRC Case Review Sample Summary, OIG clinicians
evaluated medical charts for 61 unique inmate-patients. Charts for 18 of those patients were
reviewed by both nurses and physicians, for 79 reviews. Physicians performed detailed reviews of
30 charts, and nurses performed detailed reviews of 21 charts, totaling 51 detailed reviews. For
detailed case reviews, the clinicians looked at all encounters occurring in approximately six months
of medical care. Nurses also performed a limited or focused review of medical records for an
additional 28 inmate-patients. This generated 1,191 clinical events for review (Appendix B,
Table B-3: CRC Event—Program).
For 61 sampled patients reviewed (Appendix B, Table B-1: CRC Sample Sets) and only 6 specific
chronic care patient records pulled (five diabetes patients and one anticoagulation patient), the final
samples included patients with 177 chronic care diagnoses (Appendix B, Table B-2: CRC Chronic
Care Diagnoses). In addition, even though the process selected only 5 patients with diabetes, the
case reviews included 21 patients with diabetes; 16 additional patients with diabetes were pulled
from other sample requests. Many chronic care programs were evaluated with the OIG’s sample
selection tool because the complex and high-risk patients selected from the different categories
often had multiple medical problems. While not every chronic disease or health care staff member
was evaluated, the overall operation of the institution’s system and staff were assessed for
adequacy. The OIG’s case review methodology and sample size matched other qualitative research.
The empirical findings, supported by expert statistical consultants, showed adequate conclusions
after 10 to 15 charts had undergone full clinician review. In qualitative statistics, this phenomenon
is known as “saturation.” The OIG asserts that the sample size of over 30 detailed reviews certainly
far exceeds the saturation point necessary for an adequate qualitative review. With regard to
reviewing charts from different providers, the case review is not intended to be a focused search for
poorly performing providers; rather, it is focused on how the system cares for those patients who
need care the most. Nonetheless, while not sampling cases by each provider at the institution, the
OIG’s pilot inspections adequately reviewed most providers. Providers would only escape OIG case
review if institutional management successfully mitigated patient risk by having the more poorly
performing PCPs care for the less complicated, low-utilizing, and lower-risk patients. The OIG’s
clinicians concluded the sample size was adequate to assess the quality of services provided.
Based on the collective results of clinicians’ case reviews, the OIG rated each quality indicator as
either proficient (excellent), adequate (passing), inadequate (failing), or not applicable. A separate
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confidential CRC Supplemental Medical Inspection Results: Individual Patient Case Review
Summaries report details the case reviews OIG clinicians conducted and is available to specific
stakeholders. For further details regarding the sampling methodologies and counts, see Appendix
B—Clinical Data, Table B-1; Table B-2; Table B-3; and Table B-4.
COMPLIANCE TESTING
SAMPLING METHODS FOR CONDUCTING COMPLIANCE TESTING
From March to May 2015, deputy inspectors general obtained answers to 90 objective medical
inspection test (MIT) questions designed to assess the institution’s compliance with critical policies
and procedures applicable to the delivery of medical care. The inspectors conducted these tests by
reviewing individual inmate-patients’ electronic health records and conducting an onsite inspection
of CRC during the week of March 9, 2015. In total, inspectors reviewed health records for 389
inmate-patients and inspected various transactions within their records for evidence that critical
events occurred. During the onsite inspection, field inspectors conducted detailed inspections of the
institution’s medical facilities and clinics; interviewed key institutional employees; and reviewed
employee records, logs, medical appeals, death reports, and other documents.
For details of the compliance results, see Appendix A—Compliance Test Results. For details of the
OIG’s compliance sampling methodology, see Appendix C—Compliance Sampling Methodology.
SCORING OF COMPLIANCE TESTING RESULTS
The OIG rated the institution in the following nine primary (clinical) and two secondary
(administrative) quality indicators applicable to the institution for compliance testing:
• Primary indicators: Access to Care, Diagnostic Services, Health Information Management
(medical records), Health Care Environment, Inter- and Intra-System Transfers, Pharmacy
and Medication Management, Preventive Services, Specialized Medical Housing, and
Specialty Services.
• Secondary indicators: Internal Monitoring, Quality Improvement, and Administrative
Operations; and Job Performance, Training, Licensing, and Certifications.
After compiling the answers to the 90 questions, the OIG derived a score for each primary and
secondary quality indicator identified above by calculating the percentage score of all Yes answers
for each of the questions applicable to a particular indicator, then averaging those scores. Based on
those results, the OIG assigned a rating to each quality indicator of proficient, adequate, or
inadequate.
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DASHBOARD COMPARISONS
For some of the individual compliance questions, the OIG identified where similar metrics were
available within the CCHCS Dashboard. The OIG compared its compliance test results with the
institution’s Dashboard results and reported on that comparative data under various applicable
quality indicators within the Medical Inspection Results section of this report.
OVERALL QUALITY INDICATOR RATING FOR CASE REVIEWS AND COMPLIANCE
TESTING
The OIG derived the final rating for each quality indicator by combining the ratings from the case
reviews and from the compliance testing, as applicable. When combining these ratings, the case
review evaluations and the compliance testing results usually agreed, but there were instances when
the rating differed for a particular quality indicator. In those instances, the inspection team assessed
the quality indicator based on the collective ratings from both components. Specifically, the team
discussed the nature of individual exceptions found within that indicator category and considered
the overall effect on the ability of patients to receive adequate medical care.
To derive an overall assessment rating for the institution’s medical inspection, the OIG evaluated
the various rating categories assigned to each of the quality indicators applicable to the institution,
giving more weight to the rating results for the primary quality indicators, which directly relate to
the health care provided to inmate-patients. Based on that analysis, OIG experts made a considered
and measured overall opinion about the quality of health care that was observed.
POPULATION-BASED METRICS
The OIG identified a subset of HEDIS measures applicable to the CDCR inmate-patient population.
To identify outcomes for CRC, the OIG reviewed some of the compliance testing results, randomly
sampled additional inmate-patients’ records, and obtained CRC data from the CCHCS Master
Registry. The OIG compared those results to metrics reported by other State and federal agencies.
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MEDICAL INSPECTION RESULTS
PRIMARY (CLINICAL) QUALITY INDICATORS OF HEALTH CARE
The primary quality indicators assess the clinical aspects of health care. As shown on the Health
Care Quality Indicators table on page ii of this report, 12 of the OIG’s primary indicators were
applicable to CRC. Of those 12 indicators, 7 were rated by both the case review and compliance
components of the inspection, 3 were rated by the case review component alone, and 2 were rated
by the compliance component alone.
Summary of Case Review Results: Clinicians reviewed 30 cases, rating the adequacy of care for
each case. Of these 30 cases, 3 were proficient, 22 were adequate, and 5 were inadequate. For 1,191
events reviewed, there were 385 deficiencies, of which the reviewer determined only 6 to be of such
magnitude that, if left unaddressed, would likely contribute to patient harm. These deficiencies
lacked a pattern of systemic errors.
Adverse Events Identified During Case Review: Medical care is a complex dynamic process with
many moving parts, and subject to human error even within the best health care organizations.
Adverse events are typically identified and tracked by all major health care organizations for the
purpose of quality improvement. They are not generally representative of medical care delivered by
the organization. The OIG identified adverse events for the dual purposes of quality improvement
and the illustration of problematic patterns of practice found during the inspection. Because of the
anecdotal description of these events, the OIG cautions against drawing inappropriate conclusions
regarding the institution based solely on adverse events.
There was one adverse event identified in the case reviews, but it was not reflective of the overall
medical care provided at CRC.
In case 3, a nurse noted a provider’s order to re-test the patient’s blood sugar and administer sliding
scale insulin every hour for a high blood sugar level (noted in the Medication Administration
Record). This monitoring was performed twice, but there was no evidence that any further
monitoring was performed. Three hours later, the patient’s blood sugar was extremely low. This
case is discussed in the Pharmacy and Medication Management and Quality of Nursing
Performance indicators.
Compliance Results: The compliance component assessed 9 of the 12 primary (clinical) indicators
that were applicable to CRC. The results of those assessments are summarized within this section of
the report. The test questions used to assess compliance for each indicator are detailed in
Appendix A.
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ACCESS TO CARE
This indicator evaluates the institution’s ability to provide inmate-
Case Review Rating:
patients with timely clinical appointments. Areas specific to
Proficient
inmate-patients’ access to care are reviewed, such as initial Compliance Score:
assessments of newly arriving inmate-patients, acute and chronic 95.4%
care follow-ups, face-to-face nurse appointments when an inmate-
Overall Rating:
patient requests to be seen, provider referrals from nursing lines,
Proficient
and follow-ups after hospitalization or specialty care. Compliance
testing for this indicator also evaluates whether inmate-patients
have Health Care Services Request Forms (CDCR Form 7362) available in their housing units.
Case Review Results
The OIG clinicians reviewed over 740 provider and nurse encounters. Fourteen deficiencies were
identified. Five deficiencies related to delays in specialty services; the other deficiencies varied.
Within the nurse sick call process, the clinicians had concerns related to referrals to physicians
without a face-to-face assessment by a nurse. This is addressed in the Quality of Nursing
Performance indicator. Overall, the OIG found no significant problems with access to care.
Appointments were timely in all aspects reviewed, including nurse-to-provider sick call referrals,
triage and treatment area (TTA) and hospital follow-ups, intra-system transfers, specialty
appointments, and outpatient provider follow-ups. CRC performed very well with regard to access
to care; therefore, the indicator rating is proficient.
Compliance Testing Results
The institution received an overall score of 95.4 percent in the Access to Care indicator, scoring
proficient in eight of the nine areas tested, including five scores of 100 percent, as described below:
• The OIG inspectors found that inmates had access to Health Care Services Request Forms
(CDCR Form 7362) at all four housing units inspected (MIT 1.101).
• Inspectors sampled 32 Health Care Services Request Forms submitted by inmate-patients
across all facility clinics. As documented on the service request (CDCR Form 7362), in all
cases, nursing staff reviewed the request form on the same day it was received. Also,
nursing staff completed a face-to-face encounter with each inmate-patient within one
business day of reviewing (or receiving) the request (MIT 1.003, 1.004).
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• For 14 health care service requests sampled where the nursing staff referred the inmate-
patient for a PCP appointment, 12 (86 percent) of the inmate-patients received a timely
appointment. The follow-up appointment occurred 18 days late for one patient and did not
occur at all for another patient. In addition, all seven of the patients (100 percent) for whom
the PCP ordered a follow-up sick call appointment received a timely appointment
(MIT 1.005, 1.006).
• All 21 inmate-patients sampled (100 percent) who had been discharged from a community
hospital received a timely follow-up appointment with a PCP (MIT 1.007).
• Inspectors found that 24 of the 25 inmate-patients sampled (96 percent) who transferred into
CRC from another institution and were referred to a PCP for a routine appointment, based
on nursing staff’s initial health care screening, were seen timely. For one patient, the
appointment was held one day late (MIT 1.002).
• When the OIG reviewed recent appointments for 30 inmate-patients with chronic care
conditions, inspectors found that 28 of the patients (93 percent) received timely
appointments. For one patient, the appointment occurred seven weeks late; for another
patient, the appointment occurred two and one-half weeks late (MIT 1.001).
The institution scored within the adequate range for the following test:
• Inspectors sampled 30 inmate-patients who had received a specialty service and found that
25 of them (83 percent) received a timely follow-up appointment with a PCP. For three
patients who received high-priority specialty services, their follow-up visits were 1, 4, and
16 days late. For two patients who received routine specialty services, inspectors could not
find evidence that their follow-up appointments occurred at all (MIT 1.008).
CCHCS Dashboard Comparative Data
The Dashboard uses the average of eight medical access measure indicators to calculate the score
for access to medical services. The OIG compared similar CRC compliance scores with that
Dashboard average score.
As indicated in the following table, the OIG’s comparative score for Access to Care was 95 percent
and ranked only 1 percentage point lower than CRC’s Dashboard score of 96 percent.
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Access to Care—CRC Dashboard and OIG Compliance Results
CRC DASHBOARD RESULTS OIG COMPLIANCE RESULTS
Scheduling & Access to Care: Medical Services Access to Care (1.001, 1.004, 1.005, 1.007)
Diagnostic Services (2.001, 2.004)
Specialty Services (14.001, 14.003)
March 2015 March 2015
96% 95%
Note: The CCHCS Dashboard data includes access to care for inmate-patients returning from CDCR inpatient housing
units and emergency departments. The OIG does not specifically test follow-up appointments for these patients.
Recommendation
The institution should take steps to ensure that inmate-patients who receive specialty services
receive their follow-up appointments within required time frames.
DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES
This indicator addresses several types of diagnostic services.
Case Review Rating:
Specifically, it addresses whether radiology and laboratory
Proficient
services were timely provided to inmate-patients, whether the
Compliance Score:
primary care provider (PCP) timely reviewed the results, and 91.1%
whether the results were communicated to the inmate-patient
within the required time frames. In addition, for pathology Overall Rating:
Proficient
services, the OIG determines whether the institution received a
final pathology report and whether the PCP timely reviewed and
communicated the pathology results to the patient. The case reviews also factor in the
appropriateness, accuracy, and quality of the diagnostic test(s) ordered and the clinical response to
the results.
Case Review Results
The OIG clinicians reviewed 138 diagnostic-related events and found 12 deficiencies. Most of the
deficiencies were related to health information management (HIM) and are discussed in the Health
Information Management indicator. The OIG found no significant problems with diagnostic
services. Overall, diagnostic services were completed successfully and performed timely; reports
were available and reviewed timely by the PCPs; and patients were notified of the test results
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quickly. CRC performed very well with regard to diagnostic services; therefore, the indicator rating
is proficient.
Compliance Testing Results
The institution received an overall score of 91.1 percent in the Diagnostic Services indicator, which
encompasses radiology, laboratory, and pathology services. For clarity, each type of diagnostic
service is discussed separately below:
Radiology Services
• For all ten of the radiology services sampled (100 percent), inspectors found the services
were timely performed, the diagnostic report results were timely reviewed by the ordering
provider, and the test results were timely communicated to the inmate-patients
(MIT 2.001, 2.002, 2.003).
Laboratory Services
• Nine of ten laboratory service orders sampled (90 percent) were performed timely. The one
exception was a routine order for which the diagnostic test results were provided seven days
late (MIT 2.004). Also, nine of the ten diagnostic test result reports (90 percent) showed
evidence that the test results were reviewed timely by a provider. For one patient, the
provider reviewed the results 21 days late (MIT 2.005). In addition, inspectors found that
providers timely communicated test results to the inmate-patient for nine of the ten samples
(90 percent). For one patient, the OIG did not find evidence in the eUHR that the patient
received any notification (MIT 2.006).
Pathology Services
• For all ten of the pathology services sampled (100 percent), the institution received the final
diagnostic reports timely and providers reviewed the reports timely (MIT 2.007, 2.008).
However, inspectors found that providers communicated those final pathology results timely
to only five of the ten inmate-patients who received the service (50 percent). For five
patients, the provider communicated the pathology test results from three to nine days late
(MIT 2.009).
Recommendation
CRC should ensure that providers communicate the results of pathology reports to inmate-patients
within two business days of receipt.
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EMERGENCY SERVICES
An emergency medical response system is essential to providing
Case Review Rating:
effective and timely emergency medical response, assessment, Adequate
treatment, and transportation 24 hours per day. Provision of Compliance Score:
urgent/emergent care is based on a patient’s emergency situation, Not Applicable
clinical condition, and need for higher level of care. The OIG
Overall Rating:
reviews emergency response services including first aid, basic life
Adequate
support (BLS), and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)
consistent with the American Heart Association guidelines for
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiovascular care, and the provision of
services by knowledgeable staff appropriate to each individual’s training, certification, and
authorized scope of practice.
The OIG evaluates this quality indicator entirely through clinicians’ reviews of case files and
conducts no separate compliance testing element.
Case Review Results
The OIG clinicians reviewed over 70 urgent/emergent events and found 39 deficiencies, mainly in
the areas of nursing care. These deficiencies were considered minor and did not significantly affect
patient care. In general, CRC performed well with emergency response times, BLS care (no CPR
events were noted to have occurred during the time frame reviewed), and 9-1-1 call activation
times. Overall, despite the deficiencies noted, the case reviews showed that patients requiring urgent
or emergent services received timely and adequate care in the majority of cases reviewed.
Provider Performance—Emergency Services
The TTA provider generally saw the patient in a timely manner and made adequate assessments.
The triage decisions made were appropriate, and patients were sent to the appropriate levels of care,
as necessary. The TTA provider also completed rounds on the patients in the Outpatient Housing
Unit (OHU), and was the provider for the procedure clinic. The few provider care deficiencies
relating to emergency services were mainly due to legibility issues.
Nursing Performance—Emergency Services
Emergency services nursing deficiencies often related to inadequate documentation.
• Nurses often failed to document the times of custody or ambulance notifications, arrivals,
and departures. In case 7, this occurred on four separate occasions. This also occurred in
cases 6, 17, 24, and 35.
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• In case 15, a Code 1 medical transport occurred more than five hours after ordered;
reassessment, monitoring, and departure times were not documented during that time.
• In case 8, oral glucose was inappropriately administered to a patient with an altered level of
consciousness, which could have resulted in the patient aspirating the solution. In addition,
the event timelines were not consistently documented. These deficiencies were not identified
at the Emergency Medical Response Review Committee (EMRRC) meeting. Timeline
documentation disparities were also identified in cases 9 and 15.
• In case 15, the EMRRC minutes incorrectly documented a seven-day hospital admission,
when the patient actually returned on the day of departure.
• Urgent or emergent nursing encounters were often recorded on nursing sick call forms
instead of Emergency Care Flow Sheets (CDCR Form 7403).
Onsite Clinician Inspection / Patient Care Environment
During the onsite visit, the OIG clinicians were informed the patient care environment in the TTA
had recently been upgraded to two rooms. Each room appeared to be well stocked, neat, and
orderly. The rooms were connected by a door, which could be closed for patient privacy, but would
also allow for easy access to the other room by medical staff for times when there is a patient in
each room.
Conclusion
CRC staff provided adequate emergency services to patients during the time frame reviewed. As
noted above, the majority of deficiencies found relating to emergency services were due to
inadequate assessment or documentation by nursing. Fortunately, there were no serious negative
outcomes, likely due to a combination of CRC being a basic care institution with very few complex
patients and the mitigation of risk by strong provider performance.
Recommendations
Although the OIG found emergency care adequate overall, there is room for improvement.
Recommendations include:
• Audit the frequency and quality of nursing assessments, interventions, and documentation.
• Develop TTA-specific nursing expectations and ensure all nurses receive training.
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• Ensure all custody and ambulance notifications, arrivals, and departures are recorded,
patients are regularly assessed, and their care is documented up to their departure.
• Ensure EMRRC data is accurately represented.
HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (MEDICAL RECORDS)
Health information management is a crucial link in the delivery of
Case Review Rating:
medical care. Medical personnel require accurate information in
Inadequate
order to make sound judgments and decisions. This indicator
Compliance Score:
examines whether the institution adequately manages its health care 68.9%
information. This includes determining whether the information is
correctly labeled and organized and available in the electronic Unit Overall Rating:
Inadequate
Health Record (eUHR); whether the various medical records
(internal and external, e.g., progress notes and hospital/specialty
reports) are obtained and scanned timely into the inmate-patient’s eUHR; whether records routed to
and signed off on by clinicians include legible signatures or stamps; and whether hospital discharge
reports include key elements and are timely reviewed by providers.
Case Review Results
The OIG clinicians identified a number of deficiencies related to health information management.
Of the 384 deficiencies identified during the case reviews, 66 were related to HIM processes. These
processes are subcategorized as follows.
Inter-Departmental Transmission
• There were only three deficiencies of intended orders not being carried through across
various departments. Examples include laboratory tests being drawn despite orders to cancel
them, ordered test results not being found in the eUHR (it is unclear if they were
performed), and specialty visits having to be rescheduled.
Hospital Records
• There were 17 deficiencies related to hospital records. These deficiencies included absent or
incomplete hospital records and discharge summaries (cases 3, 7, 8, 14, 33, 35, and 59) and
delays in records or discharge summaries being reviewed by a provider and scanned into the
eUHR (case 15: three weeks late; case 16: six weeks late; case 59: almost three weeks late).
Fortunately, it appears the providers at CRC were aware of the hospital events and discharge
recommendations, and no significant harm came to patients. Regardless, potential for harm
increases when health care information is absent or incomplete.
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Specialty Services
• The majority of the HIM deficiencies found relating to specialty services were due to reports
not being signed by the ordering provider and scanned into the eUHR in a timely manner.
There were also a few instances when specialty or diagnostic results were not available for
specialists to review at the time of specialty appointments. These findings are also discussed
in the Specialty Services indicator.
Diagnostic Reports
• The handful of HIM deficiencies relating to diagnostic reports were associated with reports
not being signed by the ordering provider and scanned into the eUHR in a timely manner.
There was one instance where the form notifying the patient of results (CDCR Form 7393)
was not filled out completely, and a few instances where laboratory results were noted in
progress notes but reports were not found in the eUHR.
Specialized Medical Housing
• The OIG found numerous issues with the filing of OHU records. Provider notes, nursing
notes, and orders were routinely grouped or bundled together and filed under a date different
from the date of service.
Urgent/Emergent Records
• Multiple incidents of incomplete or inconsistent documentation of timelines relating to
urgent or emergent records were found. Also, these encounters were sometimes
inappropriately documented on nursing sick call forms rather than TTA forms.
Scanning Performance
• While the scanning times for all documents were adequate overall, numerous deficiencies
relating to scanning performance were found. The majority of these deficiencies were
associated with the mislabeling or misfiling of documents, which hinders the medical staff’s
ability to find relevant clinical information. There were also a few instances of pages
missing from a report and documents being filed in the wrong patient’s chart.
Legibility
• Illegibility of notes and signatures (without name stamps) was an issue throughout this
period of review for some of the providers. This can pose a significant medical risk to
patients, especially when these notes are required to be reviewed by other staff, such as
when a patient is transferred to another care team or another institution.
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Miscellaneous
• There were a number of instances when provider and nursing notes and occasional other
documents, such as referrals, were not found in the eUHR. With these notes absent from the
eUHR, it was difficult for the OIG to ascertain whether they were lost prior to scanning or if
they were written at all. A few deficiencies dealing with transcription errors (involving
dates, dosages, etc.) were also noted.
Health care staff members at CRC, especially providers, have to contend with misfiled documents
in the eUHR and illegible provider progress notes and orders. Combined with underlying human
lapses and errors, these issues have the potential to increase medical risk. The mitigation of these
additional deficiencies is dependent on each employee’s computer expertise, personal efficiency,
attention to detail, and ability to decipher illegible handwriting. These abilities vary among staff
members.
Compliance Testing Results
The institution received an overall score of 68.9 percent in the Health Information Management
(Medical Records) indicator and needs to improve in the following areas:
• The institution scored 33 percent in its labeling and filing of documents that were scanned
into inmate-patients’ eUHRs. The most common error was mislabeled documents where the
health record encounter date did not match the actual date on the source document
(MIT 4.006).
• When the OIG reviewed various medical documents such as hospital discharge reports,
initial health screening forms, certain medication records, and specialty service reports to
ensure that clinical staff legibly documented their names on the forms, inspectors found that
only 11 of 32 samples (34 percent) demonstrated compliance (MIT 4.007).
• Specialty service consultant reports were scanned into the inmate-patient’s eUHR file within
five calendar days of the inmate-patient encounter for only 12 of the 20 documents reviewed
(60 percent). One specialty report was scanned 43 days late, four were scanned between 9
and 16 days late, and three were scanned only 1 day late (MIT 4.003). Similarly, dictated or
transcribed provider progress notes were not timely scanned into the inmate-patients’ eUHR
files. Only 14 of 20 sampled documents (70 percent) were scanned within required time
frames. Six documents were scanned from one to nine days late (MIT 4.002).
• When the OIG reviewed Medication Administration Records (MARs), inspectors found that
15 of the 18 sampled records (83 percent) were timely scanned. Three MARs were scanned
from one to four days late (MIT 4.005).
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
The institution performed well for the following tests:
• Most miscellaneous non-dictated documents, including providers’ progress notes and
inmate-patients’ initial health screening forms and requests for health care services, were
timely scanned. Of the 20 documents sampled, 19 (95 percent) were scanned into the
patient’s eUHR within three calendar days of the inmate-patient’s encounter. One document
was scanned only one day late (MIT 4.001). Similarly, community hospital discharge reports
or treatment records were scanned into the inmate-patient’s eUHR file within three calendar
days of the hospital discharge for 17 of the 20 documents reviewed (85 percent). For the
three exceptions, documents were scanned from one to three days late (MIT 4.004).
• The OIG reviewed the eUHR files for 21 sampled inmate-patients who were sent or
admitted to the hospital. Inspectors found that the community hospital discharge records
were complete and had been timely reviewed by a CRC provider for 19 of the patients
(90 percent). For two patients, the documents were reviewed two days late (MIT 4.008).
CCHCS Dashboard Comparative Data
As indicated below, for all four comparative measures, the OIG’s compliance results for CRC’s
availability of health information were inconsistent with the March 2015 CRC Dashboard results.
However, as noted within the OIG’s date range for each comparative measure, the OIG testing
results were based on a review of current documents as well as documents dating up to nine months
back; CRC’s March Dashboard data reflects only the institution’s February 2015 results. Using
these variable time frames, OIG’s compliance scores were much higher than the Dashboard results
for miscellaneous non-dictated documents, dictated documents, and community hospital records.
Conversely, for specialty notes, the Dashboard results were much higher than the OIG’s results.
Health Information Management—
CRC Dashboard and OIG Compliance Results
CRC DASHBOARD RESULTS OIG COMPLIANCE RESULTS
Availability of Health Information: Health Information Management (4.001)
Non-Dictated Medical Documents Non-Dictated Medical Documents
March 2015 June 2014–February 2015
74% 95%
Note: The Dashboard results were obtained from the Non-Dictated Documents Drilldown data for “Medical
Documents 3 Days.”
Medical Inspection Unit Page 21
Office of the Inspector General State of California
CRC DASHBOARD RESULTS OIG COMPLIANCE RESULTS
Availability of Health Information: Health Information Management (4.002)
Dictated Documents Dictated Documents
March 2015 July 2014–March 2015
60% 70%
Note: The Dashboard results were obtained from the Dictated Documents Drilldown data for “Medical Dictated
Documents 5 Days.”
CRC DASHBOARD RESULTS OIG COMPLIANCE RESULTS
Availability of Health Information: Health Information Management (4.003)
Specialty Notes Specialty Documents
March 2015 June 2014–November 2014
88% 60%
Note: The Dashboard measure includes specialty notes from dental, optometry, and physical therapy appointments,
which the OIG omits from its sample.
CRC DASHBOARD RESULTS OIG COMPLIANCE RESULTS
Availability of Health Information: Health Information Management (4.004)
Community Hospital Records Community Hospital Discharge Documents
March 2015 July 2014–November 2014
64% 85%
Recommendations
Numerous issues were found related to health information management. California Rehabilitation
Center should consider implementing processes that will correct these issues and ensure the
following:
• Timely retrieval, review, signing, and scanning of documents, such as hospital and specialty
reports, dictated or transcribed providers’ progress notes, and medication administration
records;
• Accurate and consistent labeling and filing of documents;
Medical Inspection Unit Page 22
Office of the Inspector General State of California
• Time-stamping of notes and orders; and
• Legibility of clinicians’ signatures. Strong consideration should also be given to requiring
dictation of all provider encounters.
HEALTH CARE ENVIRONMENT
This indicator addresses the general operational aspects of the
Case Review Rating:
institution’s clinics, including certain elements of infection control
Not Applicable
and sanitation, medical supplies and equipment management, the
Compliance Score:
availability of both auditory and visual privacy for inmate-patient 62.2%
visits, and the sufficiency of facility infrastructure to conduct
comprehensive medical examinations. For most institutions, rating Overall Rating:
Inadequate
of this component is based entirely on the compliance testing
results from the visual observations inspectors make at the
institution during their onsite visit.
Compliance Testing Results
The institution received an overall score of 62.2 percent in the Health Care Environment indicator,
and needs to improve in 7 of the 11 test areas, as described below:
• Non-clinical medical storage areas located in CRC’s central health facility did not meet the
supply management process and support needs of the medical health care program, resulting
in a score of 0 percent. When inspectors observed two Conex storage boxes, they found one
box was cluttered and disorganized and the other box, which stored temperature-sensitive
medical supplies, had an air conditioning unit that was not working at the time of the OIG
inspection (MIT 5.106).
• When the OIG inspected CRC’s eight clinics during its onsite visit, all clinical areas
appeared to be clean and well maintained. However, when inspectors reviewed cleaning logs
for the eight clinics, they found that only three of the clinics were cleaned regularly. As a
result, the institution received a score of 38 percent for this test. Cleaning logs for four of the
clinics indicated that cleaning was not completed daily because rooms were not accessible.
Cleaning logs for the receiving and release (R&R) clinic were not maintained at all
(MIT 5.101).
• When inspecting for proper protocols to mitigate exposure to blood borne pathogens and
contaminated waste, the OIG found only two of the eight clinics (25 percent) were
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
compliant. In five of the clinics, a sharps container was either not present in an exam room
or not present anywhere in the clinic. Also, the R&R clinic did not have a biohazard waste
can or bag available (MIT 5.105).
• Emergency response bags were examined to determine if they were inspected daily and
inventoried monthly and whether they contained all essential items. Inspectors found that
emergency response bags were compliant in only one of the four clinical locations where
bags were stored (25 percent). Inspectors identified the following deficiencies in three
clinics: emergency response bags that had not been inventoried within the prior 30 days,
bags that were missing essential items or contained items that were expired, and oxygen
tanks that were not fully charged (MIT 5.111).
• The OIG inspected exam rooms in the eight clinics to determine if appropriate space,
configuration, supplies, and equipment allowed clinicians to perform proper clinical exams.
Inspectors found exam rooms or treatment spaces in four clinics (50 percent) had
deficiencies. As the photographs on this page
illustrate, inspectors found various deficiencies in
clinic exam rooms. For example, the layout and
amount of furniture in one clinic’s exam room
made it difficult for a clinician to access the exam
table and conduct an exam. Two other clinics had
exam room tables with cracks in the vinyl cover,
which could harbor infectious agents if not
repaired. Also, inspectors found two problematic
areas in the OHU exam rooms: audio and visual
privacy for patients was compromised during
provider exams, and confidential medical records
designated for destruction were visible and
accessible to inmates (MIT 5.110).
• The OIG inspectors observed clinicians’
encounters with inmate-patients in seven of
CRC’s clinics and found that clinicians followed
good hand hygiene practices in five of them
(71 percent). In one clinic, an optometrist who
had physical contact with three patients did not
wear gloves and did not wash hands between
patients. In another clinic, a phlebotomist who had contact with three patients changed
gloves between patient encounters, but did not wash hands or use sanitizer between glove
changes (MIT 5.104).
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
• In six of the eight clinics (75 percent), common areas and exam rooms contained essential
supplies and core equipment necessary to conduct a comprehensive exam. However, the
R&R exam room lacked an exam table and an oto-ophthalmoscope. In the TTA, some
equipment had not been calibrated within the prior 12 months, and there was no permanent
distance marker for the Snellen vision chart (MIT 5.108).
The institution received a score of 100 percent for the following four tests conducted in CRC’s eight
clinics:
• Clinical health care staff ensured reusable invasive and non-invasive medical equipment was
properly sterilized or disinfected (MIT 5.102).
• All clinics had operable sinks and sufficient quantities of hygiene supplies in the clinical
areas (MIT 5.103).
• All clinics followed adequate protocols for managing and storing bulk medical supplies
(MIT 5.107).
• Clinic common areas had an adequate environment conducive to providing medical services
(MIT 5.109).
Other Information Obtained from Non-Scored Results
The OIG gathered information to determine if the institution’s physical infrastructure is maintained
in a manner that supports health care management’s ability to provide timely and adequate health
care. This question is not scored and is only collected and reported for informational purposes.
When OIG inspectors interviewed executive management and plant operations staff, they reported
no ongoing or pending infrastructure projects and confirmed that no barriers or other hindrances to
the delivery of medical services existed (MIT 5.999).
Recommendations
• The institution should ensure that non-clinic medical storage areas (Conex storage boxes)
located in CRC’s central health facility are maintained in an organized manner and are
temperature controlled when storing temperature-sensitive medical supplies.
• CRC should take measures to ensure clinic areas and exam rooms are accessible for proper
cleaning and disinfection, and that cleaning logs support the work completed. The institution
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
should properly maintain and stock its clinic areas to include sharps containers and
biohazard waste cans or bags, exam tables, oto-ophthalmoscopes, and permanent distance
markers for Snellen vision charts.
• Applicable equipment should be calibrated annually or more often, as needed.
• Exam rooms should be properly maintained to ensure the following: there is minimal clutter
and sufficient space to conduct patient examinations; exam tables are in good repair; exam
rooms provide audio and visual privacy to patients; and confidential medical records are not
accessible to inmates.
• Clinical staff should ensure that emergency response bags are inventoried monthly and
contain all essential items including glucose tubes, oral airways, and nasal cannulas; staff
should also ensure that oxygen tanks are fully charged.
• All clinical staff must follow good hand sanitation practices both before and after coming in
contact with patients.
INTER- AND INTRA-SYSTEM TRANSFERS
This indicator focuses on the management of inmate-patients’
Case Review Rating:
medical needs and continuity of patient care during the inter- and
Adequate
intra-facility transfer process. The review includes evaluation of
Compliance Score:
the institution’s ability to provide and document health screening 95.3%
assessments (including tuberculin screening tests), initiation of
Overall Rating:
relevant referrals based on patient needs, and the continuity of
Adequate
medication delivery to patients received from another institution.
For those patients, the clinicians also review the timely completion
of pending health appointments, tests, and requests for specialty services. For inmate-patients who
transfer out of the facility, the OIG evaluates the ability of the institution to document transfer
information that includes pre-existing health conditions, pending appointments, tests, requests for
specialty services, medication transfer packages, and medication administration prior to transfer.
The patients reviewed for Inter- and Intra-System Transfers include endorsed inmates received from
other CDCR facilities and inmates transferring out of CRC to another CDCR facility.
Medical Inspection Unit Page 26
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Case Review Results
Twenty-eight encounters were reviewed relating to Inter- and Intra-System Transfers, including
information from both the sending and receiving institutions. Over 50 hospitalization events were
reviewed, each of which resulted in a transfer back to the institution. In general, the inter- and
intra-system transfer processes at CRC were adequate, with the majority of transferring inmates
receiving timely continuity of health care services.2 Although there were rarely any major issues
found in the cases reviewed, there were deficiencies found in nursing assessment documentation,
thorough completion of transfer forms, and HIM. Specific examples of case review findings are
listed below.
Transfers In
• In case 29, the patient transferred from a community hospital directly into CRC’s Outpatient
Housing Unit (OHU); the patient’s Initial Health Screening form (CDCR Form 7227) was
not completed.
Transfers Out
Deficiencies found with inmates transferring out of CRC were largely due to incomplete nursing
documentation of significant medical information on the Health Care Transfer Information form
(CDCR Form 7371).
• In case 24, the RN did not document the due dates of specialty appointments or the patient’s
mental health status.
• In case 32, the RN did not document the patient’s history of migraine headaches and
hypothyroidism; the due dates of his chronic care program appointment and pending
maxillofacial CT scan were also omitted.
• In case 33, the RN did not document the patient’s history of chronic kidney disease and high
blood pressure, the due dates of his chronic care appointment, or any weekly lab draws.
Hospitalizations
Patients returning from hospitalizations are some of the highest risk encounters due to two factors:
these patients are of higher acuity since they have just been hospitalized for a severe illness in most
cases, and these patients are doubly at risk due to the potential lapses that can occur during any
handoff in care. At CRC, hospital return patients were processed by an RN, and the PCP followed
up with the patients in a timely manner. This process worked well for the majority of hospitalization
2 The OIG case review rating is applicable only to CRC’s existing, nursing-only inter- and intra-system transfer
processes. The rating is not applicable to the CCHCS systemwide transfer process, which the OIG has significant
concerns with and which is discussed within this section.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
events reviewed. However, some deficiencies were identified in nursing assessment documentation
and HIM:
• In case 59, upon the patient’s return from the hospital, the nurse documented an oxygen
saturation of 88 percent but did not document physician notification, noted buttock wounds
but did not provide a thorough description, and failed to indicate the area of pain and
provide a corresponding assessment.
• In case 24, the patient returned from the hospital hypoxic (having low oxygen saturation)
and short of breath. The nurse failed to increase the oxygen and failed to document
reassessment of the patient for 40 minutes.
• In cases 3, 8, 15, and 17, upon the patients’ return to CRC, instead of listing each medication
or checking them off on the medication reconciliation form, orders were given to “continue
all prior medications.” This practice creates the potential for medication errors. This is also
noted in the Pharmacy and Medication Management indicator.
• In several cases, community hospital records or discharge summaries were not found in the
eUHR. This is further discussed in the Health Information Management indicator.
Onsite Visit
During the onsite visit, the clinicians observed R&R nurses at CRC tracking and reviewing
medications to ensure medication continuity at the time of transfers. For example, when patients
transferred out of CRC, the institution ensured essential medications transferred with the patient.
When patients arrived at CRC without medications, the institution notified the sending institutions’
chief nursing executives. These efforts stood out as an effective means of ensuring medication
continuity throughout the transfer process.
Systemwide Transfer Challenges
In reviewing Inter- and Intra-System Transfers, the OIG acknowledges systemwide challenges
common to all institutions regarding pending specialty services referrals and reports and the
potential for delay in needed follow-up and services. Nurses are responsible for accurately
communicating pertinent information, identifying health care conditions that need treatment and
monitoring, and facilitating continuity of care during the transfer process. While this is sufficient for
most inmate-patients, it has not been adequate for patients with complex medical conditions or
patients referred for complex specialty care. Often, the CDCR Form 7371 transfer forms are
initiated by nurses who are not familiar with the patient’s care or are not part of the primary care
team. In addition, providers are often left out of the transfer process altogether, and patients are
transferred without the provider’s knowledge. Without a sending and receiving provider, the risk for
lapses in care increases significantly.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Compliance Testing Results
California Rehabilitation Center obtained a proficient score of 95.3 percent in the Inter- and
Intra-System Transfers indicator, scoring above 90 percent in four of the five tests, as described
below:
• The institution received a score of 93 percent when the OIG tested 30 patients who transferred
into CRC from another CDCR institution to determine whether they received a complete initial
health screening assessment from nursing staff on their day of arrival. Nursing staff timely
completed the assessment for 28 of the patients; for the 2 other patients, nursing staff neglected
to document additional information required to supplement the answer to one question
(MIT 6.001).
• For all 30 of the patients sampled (100 percent), inspectors found that CRC’s registered nurses
completed the assessment and disposition sections of the Initial Health Screening form (CDCR
Form 7277) on the same day staff completed an initial screening of the patient (MIT 6.002).
• The institution scored 100 percent when the OIG tested 19 inmate-patients who transferred out
of CRC to another CDCR institution to determine whether their scheduled specialty service
appointments were listed on the Health Care Transfer Information form (CDCR Form 7371)
(MIT 6.004).
• The institution scored 100 percent when the OIG tested one inmate-patient who transferred out
of the institution during the onsite inspection to determine whether his transfer package included
required medications and related documentation. Although a total of five inmate-patients
transferred out on the day tested, the sample was limited because medications had been
prescribed for only one of them (MIT 6.101).
The institution scored within the adequate range for the following test:
• Twenty-four of the sampled inmate-patients who transferred into CRC had an existing
medication order upon arrival. Inspectors tested those patients’ records to determine if they
received their medications without interruption and found that 20 of the 24 patients (83 percent)
received their medications timely. Two patients received their medications one day late, and two
other patients did not receive intermittent dosages of their required medications. For two of
those four patients, inspectors noted that the Initial Health Screening form (CDCR Form 7277)
indicated the medication had arrived with the patient (MIT 6.003).
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Recommendations
Recommendations for CCHCS
With regard to systemwide transfers (not specific to CRC), the majority of patients who do not have
complex medical conditions or who do not require complex specialty care would be well served by
the existing nursing-only transfer process. However, CCHCS should create a process to identify
patients who require special transfer handling that includes the following steps:
• Those patients should not be allowed to transfer without physician involvement, as a
nursing-only transfer process is insufficient.
• The transfer process should include a clear disposition, including the specific yard to which the
patient is being transferred and the primary care physician who will be directly responsible for
the patient’s continued care.
• The transferring physician should dictate or type a transfer summary to be communicated to the
accepting physician prior to transfer. Transfer should only occur after the accepting physician
has reviewed the summary, has had an opportunity to discuss the case with the sending
physician, and has formally accepted the transfer.
• The coordination of utilization management nurses should be comprehensive and key
information documented in the eUHR.
The OIG understands that these recommendations would place a significant logistical and staffing
burden on both sending and receiving institutions, and that these measures are not practiced in the
outpatient community generally. However, the volume and transfer rate within CDCR is much
higher than in the outpatient community and needs to be accounted for when designing an adequate
transfer system. The OIG understands CCHCS is currently working to revise the transfer policy
with its Patient Management Care Coordination Initiative and looks forward to reviewing that new
policy once it is finalized.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Recommendations for CRC
With regard to hospitalizations, CRC can improve the return process for medication continuity. The
OIG suggests the following:
• Create a special hospital return medication order that discontinues all prior outpatient
medications and specifies the medication, dose, route, frequency, duration, and start time for
each new prescription. When given verbally, nurses can be expected to verify each prescription
in detail with read-back with the ordering physician.
• Audit the orders to ensure completeness by both physicians and nurses.
• Pre-hospitalization medication administration records should be removed from the medication
binder, or pre-hospital medications clearly marked as discontinued.
CRC should also consider the following recommendations:
• Nurses who complete the Initial Health Screening form (CDCR Form 7277) for newly arrived
patients must ensure all form questions are answered and that they include complete, detailed
responses, such as the listing out of complete medication names when called for by the form’s
instructions.
• Medical staff should ensure patients transferring out of the facility have pending and scheduled
specialty services appointments properly identified on the Health Care Transfer Information
form (CDCR Form 7371).
• Implement formal training, along with audits and competency testing, for nurses who complete
the forms identified above.
• Nursing should ensure that inmate-patients who transfer into the institution receive all
medications without interruption.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
PHARMACY AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
This indicator is an evaluation of the institution’s ability to provide
Case Review Rating:
appropriate pharmaceutical administration and security
Adequate
management, encompassing the process from the written
Compliance Score:
prescription to the administration of the medication. By combining 80.0%
both a quantitative compliance test with case review analysis, this
assessment identifies issues in various stages of the medication Overall Rating:
Adequate
management process, including ordering and prescribing,
transcribing and verifying, dispensing and delivering, administering,
and documenting and reporting. Because effective medication management is affected by numerous
entities across various departments, this assessment considers internal review and approval
processes; pharmacy; nursing; health information systems; custody processes; and actions taken by
the PCP prescriber, staff, and the patient.
Based on results from pilot inspections, the OIG has found that the most accurate evaluation of this
indicator is derived largely from a detailed analysis of the OIG compliance scores in addition to the
clinical case reviews. The case reviews often add specific examples of the findings revealed by the
compliance scores and identify problems in other processes that may not be evident when viewed
solely from a compliance standpoint.
Case Review Results
The OIG clinicians evaluate Pharmacy and Medication Management as secondary processes as they
relate to the quality of clinical care provided. Compliance testing is a more targeted approach and
factors heavily into the overall rating for this indicator.
Case review found that for the majority of cases, patients received their medications timely and as
prescribed. Most of the deficiencies found occurred in the OHU and were related to incomplete
documentation in the medication administration record (this is also noted in the Specialized Medical
Housing indicator).
In most cases reviewed, CRC adequately maintained medication continuity for patients returning
from a hospitalization. However, the OIG clinicians noted a pattern of providers ordering to
“continue all prior medications” rather than listing each medication or checking them off on a
medication reconciliation form. This practice creates the potential for medication errors (e.g.,
missing changed dosages, continuing medications discontinued by the hospital physician, or failing
to continue or begin medications prescribed by the hospital physician) and places the patient at
unnecessary risk.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
One significant medication error was identified in the outpatient area:
• In case 3, the patient was seen by nursing with a blood sugar level of 491. The nurse noted
the provider’s order to perform a urine ketone test, re-test the blood sugar level, and
administer insulin according to the sliding scale every hour. After the nurse administered
insulin twice, there was no documentation until three hours later, when the nurse noted an
extremely low blood sugar level of 36 (which was treated appropriately). This medication
error was not identified by staff at the institution (this case is also noted in the Quality of
Nursing Performance indicator).
Conclusion
The OIG rated overall pharmacy and medication administration performance as adequate, although
specific concerns are noted above.
Compliance Testing Results
The institution received an adequate score of 80.0 percent overall for the Pharmacy and Medication
Management indicator. For discussion purposes below, this indicator is divided into three
sub-indicators: Medication Administration, Medication Preparation and Administration Controls,
and Pharmacy Protocols.
Medication Administration
For this sub-indicator, the institution scored an average of 92 percent and performed particularly
well in the following areas:
• The OIG found that CRC’s compliance with the administration of new medication orders
was high, scoring 97 percent. One of the 30 new medication orders sampled was delivered to
the inmate-patient two days late (MIT 7.002).
• CRC also performed well in ensuring that inmate-patients who transferred from one housing
unit to another received their medications without interruption, receiving a score of
97 percent for this test. One of the 30 patients sampled did not receive his medication for
one day following a housing unit move (MIT 7.005).
• The institution timely provided hospital discharge medications to 20 of 21 patients sampled
who had returned from a community hospital (95 percent). For one patient, medication was
administered two days late (MIT 7.003).
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
The institution scored within the adequate range in the following medication administration area:
• The institution timely dispensed chronic care medications to 22 of the 28 inmate-patients
sampled, scoring 79 percent for this test. For six patients, inspectors could not find evidence
in the eUHR that the patients received their keep-on-person (KOP) chronic care medications
for one or more months during the three-month test period (MIT 7.001).
Medication Preparation and Administration Controls
For this sub-indicator, the institution scored an average of 77 percent. As described below, CRC
scored 100 percent in two areas but needs to improve in four others:
• At each of the seven medication preparation and medication administration locations
inspectors observed, nursing staff followed proper hand hygiene contamination control
protocols (100 percent), and practiced appropriate administrative controls and protocols
during medication preparation (100 percent) (MIT 7.104, 7.105).
• The institution employed strong medication security controls over narcotic medications in
only three of its five clinic and medication line locations that stored narcotics (60 percent).
During OIG’s inspection of one pill-line administration area, the nurse left her key in the
lock of the narcotics locker, essentially leaving the locker unsecured for the duration of the
medication pass. For another pill preparation area, there were four keys available for the
narcotics locker, which custody staff maintained at the entrance gate to the yard. Each shift,
nursing staff had to retrieve a narcotics locker key from custody staff at the gate. After the
OIG inspectors discussed the issue with the CEO, the institution relocated custody of the
keys from the yard entrance gate to nursing services and issued the keys to the supervising
nurse in the TTA (MIT 7.101).
• The institution properly stored non-narcotic medications that do not require refrigeration at
only four of the six sampled clinics (67 percent) and medication line storage locations.
During their review, inspectors noted expired medications at two storage locations. In
addition, one of the two locations also possessed medications prescribed to inmates who
were no longer housed at the institution (MIT 7.102).
• The institution properly stored non-narcotic medications that required refrigeration at five of
eight sampled clinics (63 percent) and medication line storage locations. In one of the
clinics, the nurse did not have knowledge of CRC’s current local policy and procedure to
separate and refrigerate medication for return to the pharmacy. Additionally, when
inspectors tested daily temperature logs for refrigerators and freezers that store medications,
they found one location with incomplete temperature logs and a second location with
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
temperature logs indicating the refrigerator temperature had dropped to freezing six times in
a recent two-month period (MIT 7.103).
• When observing the medication distribution process at seven pill-line locations, inspectors
found that only five (71 percent) were compliant with appropriate administrative controls
and protocols. At one pill-line location, inspectors observed an LVN administer directly
observed therapy (DOT) medications to at least seven patients without requesting the
patients demonstrate they successfully swallowed the medication. At another pill-line
location, patients who waited outside to receive their medications had no overhang or shade
protection to protect them during extreme or inclement weather conditions (MIT 7.106).
Pharmacy Protocols
For this sub-indicator, the institution scored an average of 74 percent, comprised of scores received
at the institution’s main pharmacy. As described below, CRC scored 100 percent in three areas but
needs improvement in two areas.
• In its main pharmacy, the institution properly stored non-refrigerated, refrigerated, and
frozen medications, and maintained adequate controls of and properly accounted for narcotic
medications. The institution scored 100 percent in each of these tests (MIT 7.108, 7.109,
7.110).
• The OIG found that the main pharmacy did not employ and follow general security,
organization, and cleanliness management protocols. Specifically, the door to the pharmacy,
which is accessible by inmates and staff, was unlocked. According to the
pharmacist-in-charge (PIC), the door has a lock, but it is not used. As a result, the institution
received a score of 0 percent for this test (MIT 7.107).
• The OIG also found that the institution failed to follow key medication error reporting
protocols in 7 of 25 cases sampled (72 percent). In all cases, the PIC did not complete the
medication error follow-up report within five business days from when the error was
originally reported by staff (MIT 7.111).
Other Information Obtained from Non-Scored Results
As part of the Pharmacy and Medication Management indicator, the OIG evaluates and presents
two areas that are not scored but provided for information purposes only. Specifically, during the
eUHR compliance testing and case reviews, the OIG identifies any significant medication errors
and determines whether they were properly identified and reported by the institution (MIT 7.998).
Also, inspectors determine whether inmate-patients in isolation housing units have immediate
Medical Inspection Unit Page 35
Office of the Inspector General State of California
access to their KOP prescribed rescue inhalers and nitroglycerin medications (MIT 7.999). At CRC,
neither of these situations was present. The OIG did not find any significant medication errors not
properly managed, and CRC does not have isolation housing units located at the institution. CRC
houses its administratively segregated inmates at the California Institution for Men (CIM); those
inmate-patients who are prescribed rescue inhalers and nitroglycerin medications will be tested
during the CIM inspection, which is scheduled for later this year.
CCHCS Dashboard Comparative Data
Medication Administration: The CCHCS Dashboard uses five indicators from the Medication
Administration Process Improvement Program (MAPIP) audit tool to calculate the average score for
medication administration. The OIG compared CRC compliance scores with three of the five
applicable Dashboard indicators. As indicated below, both the CRC Dashboard and the OIG scores
indicate a high level of compliance with regard to medication administration.
Pharmacy and Medication Management—
CRC Dashboard and OIG Compliance Results
CRC DASHBOARD RESULTS OIG COMPLIANCE RESULTS
Medication Management: Medication Administration (7.001, 7.002)
Medication Administration (Chronic Care & New Meds)
Preventive Services (9.001)
(Administering INH Medication)
March 2015 March 2015
100% 92%
Note: The Dashboard results were obtained from the Medication Administration Drilldown data for Chronic Care
Meds—Medical, New Outpatient Orders—Medical, and Administration—TB Medications. Variances may
exist because CCHCS includes medication administration of KOP medications only for the first two drilldown
measures, while the OIG tests KOP, DOT, and nurse administered (NA) medication administration.
Recommendations
Recommendations regarding hospital return medication continuity are discussed in the Inter- and
Intra-System Transfers indicator. The OIG also makes the following recommendations:
• Nursing leadership should perform regular medication competencies; and review medication
administration records for errors, ensure medication errors are promptly recorded and tracked,
and implement measures to prevent future errors.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
• Nursing staff would benefit from training on protocols for controlling and administering
medications. For example, nurses should ensure that narcotic medication storage areas remain
locked at all times, return medications to the pharmacy if expired or prescribed to patients who
have transferred out of the prison, and take steps to provide assurance patients are swallowing
their DOT medications.
• Nursing staff should ensure that patients who suffer from chronic care illnesses receive their
KOP medications within the required intervals.
• The PIC should complete medication error follow-up reports within five business days and lock
the door to the pharmacy at all times.
PREVENTIVE SERVICES
This indicator assesses whether various preventive medical
Case Review Rating:
services are offered or provided to inmate-patients. These include
Not Applicable
cancer screenings; tuberculosis evaluations; and influenza and
Compliance Score:
chronic care immunizations. This indicator also assesses whether 86.0%
certain institutions take preventive actions to relocate inmate-
Overall Rating:
patients identified as being at higher risk for coccidioidomycosis
Proficient
(valley fever).
Compliance Testing Results
The institution performed in the proficient range in the Preventive Services indicator, with an
overall score of 86 percent. The institution scored at the proficient level in four of the six tests. The
stronger areas are described below:
• The institution scored 100 percent for administering anti-tuberculosis medications (INH) to
inmate-patients with tuberculosis. Inspectors reviewed the records of 30 patients for the
most recent three-month period, and all 30 patients sampled received all required doses of
INH medication timely (MIT 9.001).
• When the OIG tested CRC’s influenza screenings, inspectors found that all 30 patients
sampled (100 percent) either received or were offered an annual influenza vaccination (MIT
9.004).
• CRC offered colorectal cancer screenings to 29 of 30 sampled inmate-patients subject to the
annual screening requirement (97 percent). There was one patient whose records contained
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
no evidence that he was either offered a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) within the previous
twelve months or received a normal colonoscopy within the previous ten years (MIT 9.005).
• The OIG tested whether inmate-patients who suffer from a chronic care condition were
offered vaccinations for influenza, Pneumovax, and hepatitis. The institution scored in the
proficient range; 13 of the 14 sampled chronic care inmate-patients (93 percent) received all
recommended vaccinations at the required interval (MIT 9.008).
The institution scored at the inadequate level in two of the six tests, as described below:
• The institution scored 53 percent for conducting annual tuberculosis screenings. All
30 inmate-patients sampled were screened for tuberculosis within the prior year. However,
14 inmate-patients identified as code 22 (requiring a tuberculosis skin test in addition to
screening of signs and symptoms) had their tuberculosis test results read by a licensed
vocational nurse, in violation of CCHCS 2013 policy, which requires that a registered nurse
read and document the test results (MIT 9.003).
• When the OIG reviewed the eUHR for 30 patients who received anti-tuberculosis
medications (INH), inspectors found the institution did not always monitor their condition
and treatment. Of the 30 patients sampled, only 22 (73 percent) received their required
monthly monitoring during a three-month review period. Seven of the eight inmate-patients
were not monitored during December 2014, and one other patient was not monitored during
January and February 2015 (MIT 9.002).
CCHCS Dashboard Comparative Data
As indicated below, the OIG’s proficient compliance results for colon cancer screening were
consistent with the data reported within the CCHCS Dashboard for CRC.
Preventive Services—CRC Dashboard and OIG Compliance Results
CRC DASHBOARD RESULTS OIG COMPLIANCE RESULTS
Colon Cancer Screening Colon Cancer Screening (9.005)
March 2015 March 2015
96% 97%
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Recommendations
While the institution performed well in this indicator, improvement is needed in the following areas:
• To follow current CCHCS policies and procedures, ensure that registered nurses read and
document inmate-patients’ tuberculosis skin test results.
• Ensure that all inmate-patients receiving anti-tuberculosis medications are monitored monthly
for the duration of their treatment period.
QUALITY OF NURSING PERFORMANCE
This indicator is a qualitative evaluation of nursing services
Case Review Rating:
performed entirely by OIG nursing clinicians within the case
Adequate
review process. There is no compliance testing component
Compliance Score:
associated with this quality indicator. The OIG nurses conduct case
Not Applicable
reviews that include face-to-face encounters related to nursing sick
call requests identified on the Health Care Services Request Form Overall Rating:
(CDCR Form 7362), urgent walk-in visits, referrals for medical Adequate
services by custody staff, RN case management, RN utilization
management, clinical encounters by Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and Licensed Psychiatric
Technicians (LPTs), and any other nursing service performed on an outpatient basis.
The OIG case review also includes activities and processes performed by nursing staff that are not
considered direct patient encounters, such as the initial receipt and review of CDCR Form
7362 service requests and follow-up with primary care providers and other staff on behalf of the
patient. Key focus areas for evaluation of outpatient nursing care include appropriateness and
timeliness of patient triage and assessment, identification and prioritization of health care needs, use
of the nursing process to implement interventions including patient education and referrals, and
documentation that is accurate, thorough, and legible. Nursing services provided in the OHU, CTC,
or other inpatient units are reported under Specialized Medical Housing. Nursing services provided
in the TTA or related to emergency medical responses are reported under Emergency Services.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Case Review Results
A total of 379 nursing encounters were evaluated for CRC case reviews; 132 of these were
outpatient-nursing encounters.
Case review findings demonstrated most triage RNs provided necessary interventions for patients
presenting with medical issues in the outpatient RN clinics. However, case review also revealed
patterns of deficiencies that affected the quality of nursing performance in the areas of nursing
assessment and documentation. The Quality of Nursing Performance deficiencies include the
following:
Nursing Assessment/Documentation
• In cases 5, 10, 11, and 12, the nurses failed to perform face-to-face assessments. While
paper triages were performed, patients’ visits were deferred to the providers. Fortunately,
patient outcomes were not affected, likely due to the low risk nature of the complaints and
frequency of provider visits.
• In cases 5, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, and 58, the “subjective” or “objective” portions of nursing
notes, or both, were incomplete.
• In cases 10, 12, 17, and 49, patients with symptomatic complaints were not evaluated the
next business day, as required by CCHCS policy.
• In case 3, the pill line LVN failed to transcribe a telephone order and administered an unsafe
amount of insulin. This resulted in a dangerously low blood sugar level. This significant
medication error was not identified by medical staff at CRC. This case is also discussed in
the Pharmacy and Medication Management indicator.
• In case 2, the nurse failed to contact a physician when blood sugars were low at 36 and 49
milligrams.
Recommendations
Although the case reviews revealed outpatient nursing care was adequate, there is room for
improvement in the following areas:
• Nursing sick call audits should be reviewed by nursing leadership, as the current system does
not identify the lack in assessment, documentation, and deferred face-to-face encounters.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
• Nurses should also conduct focused subjective and objective nursing assessments that are based
on both the patient’s current complaints and his health history, and perform timely face-to-face
assessments.
• CRC should evaluate the needs of nursing staff and implement periodic training and education
to include medication administration safety and management. There should be ongoing
monitoring activities to include compliance and competency evaluations for medication
administration by nurses.
QUALITY OF PROVIDER PERFORMANCE
In this indicator, the OIG physicians provide a qualitative
Case Review Rating:
evaluation of the adequacy of provider care at the institution.
Adequate
Appropriate evaluation, diagnosis, and management plans are
Compliance Score:
reviewed for programs including, but not limited to, nursing sick Not Applicable
call, chronic care programs, TTA, specialized medical housing,
and specialty services. The assessment of provider care is Overall Rating:
performed entirely by OIG physicians. There is no compliance Adequate
testing component associated with this quality indicator.
Case Review Results
The OIG clinicians reviewed over 361 CRC medical provider encounters and identified 89
deficiencies related to provider performance. Of those 89 deficiencies, only 3 were considered
likely to contribute to patient harm (cases 2, 16, and 61). The OIG rated CRC provider performance
adequate overall.
Assessment and Decision-Making
The large majority of provider encounters reviewed demonstrated adequate assessment and sound
medical decision-making. However, some patterns emerged during the case review regarding the
quality of provider care.
• Providers sometimes ordered follow-up appointments at inappropriate intervals. This was
seen in cases 14, 36, and 60.
• In cases 10 and 35, pain medications were continued despite the patient reporting the
medications were not effective.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Review of Records
Providers generally reviewed diagnostic reports, specialty reports, and hospital reports in a timely
manner when available, and with adequate thoroughness (this is discussed more in the Health
Information Management indicator). However, there were a few notable exceptions:
• In case 3, a specialist recommended the discontinuation of all acetaminophen (Tylenol)
products due to elevated liver enzymes. This recommendation was not ordered (by a CRC
provider) until ten days later.
• In case 59, a hospital discharge recommendation included that amiodarone (a medication to
control heart rhythm) be continued for only one month unless the patient reverted back to
atrial fibrillation (heart arrhythmia). This was not specified or noted by the CRC provider.
• CRC providers did not always review the eUHR during each patient encounter. In cases 2,
12, 17, 60, and 61) important nursing visits (e.g., visits for low blood sugar levels, other lab,
and other complaints) or blood sugar logs were not noted. As a result, proper interventions
were not made.
Emergency Care
Providers made appropriate triage decisions when patients presented emergently to the TTA. The
TTA was also used for physician-performed minor procedures and wound care management. The
emergency care provided was adequate overall.
Chronic Care
Chronic care performance was adequate overall. Appropriate monitoring, assessments, and
interventions were the rule, rather than the exception. Sometimes, providers did not order
appropriate chronic care follow-up intervals. A few other patterns emerged:
• The management of diabetes was sometimes inadequate, specifically as it related to the use
of insulin. In cases 3, 8, and 60, the types and dosages of insulin utilized were not always
logical.
• The provider continued levofloxacin and ziprasidone despite the contraindicated
combination due to increased QT interval prolongation of the EKG (case 16).
• The documentation of asthma symptoms was sometimes inadequate. In cases 12, 16, 57, and
61, the providers failed to indicate how often the patient was utilizing his rescue inhaler.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Specialty Services
Reviews of the specialty services referrals revealed that CRC providers generally requested
specialty services appropriately. When patients were seen by providers for follow-up after specialty
services, the providers reviewed the reports satisfactorily and took appropriate actions. There was
one notable exception:
• In case 21, a referral for a lymph node biopsy should have been submitted as “urgent” rather
than “routine.” Fortunately, this was changed during the approval process.
Health Information Management (HIM)
The OIG found illegibility with certain providers’ notes in multiple cases. There were also instances
when telephone encounters, progress notes, referrals, and orders were not found in the eUHR. This
is further discussed in the Health Information Management indicator. Other minor issues included
failure to record the time on orders or progress notes and failure to review transcriptions adequately.
Onsite Inspection
The OIG found the CRC providers generally content with their work, leadership, and ancillary
services. The institution held regular provider meetings to discuss difficult cases and significant
events from the prior day and to review medical guidelines.
Pharmacy and Medication Management
While medication continuity for patients returning from a hospitalization was satisfactorily
maintained in most cases reviewed, the OIG clinicians noted a pattern of CRC providers ordering to
“continue all prior medications.” This practice creates the potential for medications errors (e.g.,
missing changed dosages, continuing medications discontinued by the hospital attending, failing to
continue or begin medications prescribed by the hospital physician) and places the patient at
unnecessary risk. A better practice would be to list each medication or check them off on a
medication reconciliation form (this is also noted in the Pharmacy and Medication Management
indicator).
Conclusion
The overall care provided by CRC medical providers was found to be adequate. Of the 30 cases
reviewed, 3 were found to be proficient, 22 were adequate, and 5 were inadequate. Although a few
significant deficiencies were noted, this was the exception rather than the rule, and did not represent
the large majority of high level or quality care that was delivered. After taking all factors into
consideration, the OIG rated CRC provider performance adequate.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Recommendations
Provider performance recommendations include the following:
• Certain CRC providers could benefit from continuing medical education for the management of
diabetes, specifically in the utilization of the various types of insulin.
• All providers should be reminded of their responsibility and role in ordering follow-up at
appropriate intervals and ordering specialty services within time frames appropriate for their
patients’ medical conditions.
• All providers should be encouraged to review interim nursing visits, and thoroughly review
hospital and specialty reports and recommendations.
• When patients return from an outside hospital, providers should be reminded to review all
medications individually rather than ordering to “continue all prior medications.”
• CRC should take steps to ensure legibility of all progress notes and signatures.
SPECIALIZED MEDICAL HOUSING
This indicator addresses whether the institution follows appropriate
Case Review Rating:
policies and procedures when admitting inmate-patients to onsite
Adequate
inpatient facilities, including completion of timely nursing and
Compliance Score:
provider assessments. The chart review assesses all aspects of 100%
medical care related to these housing units, including quality of
provider and nursing care. CRC’s only specialized medical housing Overall Rating:
Adequate
unit is the outpatient housing unit (OHU).
Case Review Results
CRC has a ten-bed OHU on site. More than 230 events relating to Specialized Medical Housing
were reviewed in 19 cases that included admissions (or short stays to prepare patients for
procedures) to the OHU. This included a total of 94 provider encounters and 131 nursing
encounters. Eighty-five deficiencies were found, most of which were related to inadequate nursing
assessment or documentation. Provider deficiencies were mainly due to legibility issues. The
deficiencies are categorized as follows:
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Provider Performance—Specialized Medical Housing
The OIG found in its case review that patients in the OHU were seen and cared for adequately by
providers at CRC. While a handful of provider performance deficiencies related to patient care, the
majority were due to legibility issues.
Nursing Performance—Specialized Medical Housing
Nurses in the OHU provided timely assessments during each shift. However, assessments often
lacked complete documentation, physicians were not always notified when warranted, patient care
plans were not always implemented or documented, and medication administration records (MARs)
were not always complete.
• In case 59, the patient had decubitus ulcers and edema (swelling), but a nurse care plan was
not documented. Nurses sometimes failed to document wound assessments or the degree of
edema.
• In case 7, a physician was not informed when blood pressures remained consistently
elevated (175/91, 162/90, and 164/90).
• In cases 24 and 26, the medication administration records were incomplete.
Health Information Management—Specialized Medical Housing
• Issues with the filing of OHU records were identified. Various records were routinely
bundled together in the eUHR, which makes it difficult for medical staff to retrieve and
review specific records. This issue is also addressed in the Health Information Management
indicator.
Pharmacy and Medication Management—Specialized Medical Housing
• The OIG noted a number of deficiencies relating to pharmacy and medication management
within the OHU, mainly due to lack of documentation. This is also noted in the Pharmacy
and Medication Management indicator.
While the OIG found numerous deficiencies relating to specialized medical housing, this indicator
received an adequate rating for the following reasons: While the majority of nursing performance
deficiencies were due to incomplete assessments or documentation, the providers’ performance
compensated for this; the provider performance deficiencies found were mainly due to legibility
issues, and patient care was not compromised; and the nature of deficiencies relating to HIM and
pharmacy and medication did not negatively affect patient outcome, as discussed in greater detail in
their respective indicator sections.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Compliance Testing Results
The institution received a proficient score of 100 percent for the Specialized Medical Housing
indicator, which focused on the institution’s Outpatient Housing Unit (OHU). The following
comprised the five test results for this indicator:
• For all ten inmate-patients sampled, nursing staff timely completed an initial assessment on
the day the patient was admitted to the OHU (MIT 13.001).
• Providers evaluated all ten inmate-patients within 24 hours of admission and completed a
history and physical within 72 hours of admission (MIT 13.002, 13.003). Providers also
completed their Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan, and Education (SOAPE) notes at
required 14-day intervals for all ten patients (MIT 13.004).
• Call buttons were in good working condition in OHU patient rooms, based on a sampling
conducted during the OIG’s review. Also, according to knowledgeable staff working in the
OHU, custody officers and clinicians respond and access inmate-patients’ rooms in less than
one minute when an emergent event occurs (MIT 13.101).
Recommendations
Although patient care within the OHU was adequate overall, there is room for improvement.
Recommendations for nursing leadership include:
• Audit the quality of nursing assessments, interventions, and documentation, and educate
nurses based on the audit findings.
• Develop OHU-specific nursing expectations and ensure all nurses receive training on those
expectations.
• Ensure that medications are administered as ordered and that MARs are audited.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
SPECIALTY SERVICES
This indicator focuses on specialist care from the time a request for
Case Review Rating:
services or physician’s order for specialist care is completed to the
Adequate
time of receipt of related recommendations from specialists. This
Compliance Score:
indicator also evaluates the providers’ timely review of specialist 87.8%
records and documentation reflecting the patients’ care plans,
including course of care when specialist recommendations were not Overall Rating:
Adequate
ordered, and whether the results of specialists’ reports are
communicated to the patients. For specialty services denied by the
institution, the OIG determines whether the denials are timely and appropriate, and whether the
inmate-patient is updated on the plan of care.
Case Review Results
The OIG clinicians reviewed at least 132 events related to Specialty Services, the majority of which
were specialty consultations and procedures. Sixty-four deficiencies were found in this category,
with more than half relating to nursing performance.
Access to Specialty Services
• Case review found that urgent and routine specialty services were generally timely and
adequate, although there were occasional minor delays in specialty follow-up appointments.
Provider Performance—Specialty Services
• Four provider deficiencies were identified: two related to legibility issues (also addressed in
the Health Information Management indicator); one due to a specialty follow-up being
ordered for three months instead of two months; and one due to a referral being requested as
“routine” rather than “urgent” (which was corrected at the time of approval).
Nursing Performance—Specialty Services
• The OIG’s review revealed 40 deficiencies relating to nursing performance in the area of
specialty services. The vast majority of these deficiencies were due to incomplete (or absent)
assessment or documentation of the patient upon return from specialty appointments. This
included failing to document receipt and review of specialist records or recommendations.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Health Information Management—Specialty Services
• Sixteen of the deficiencies found in specialty services were related to health information
management (HIM). As noted in the HIM indicator summary, a good portion of the
deficiencies were related to scanning issues. Eight of these deficiencies were due to a delay
in specialty reports being retrieved, reviewed by a provider, or scanned into the eUHR. In
two instances, a report was either absent or missing pages. Two reports were mislabeled or
misfiled. Two reports were for a different patient. Two deficiencies were related to a study
or report not being available to a specialist at the time of a specialty visit. These deficiencies
are also noted in the Health Information Management indicator.
Overall, patients had adequate access to specialty visits/procedures. The majority of deficiencies
found relating to specialty services were due to inadequate nursing performance. Importantly,
however, the numerous deficiencies found in Specialty Services were mitigated by providers being
aware of and implementing consultants’ recommendations.
Compliance Testing Results
The institution received a proficient score of 87.8 percent in the Specialty Services indicator. CRC
performed well in four of the seven test areas, performed within the adequate range in two test
areas, and needs to improve in one other test area.
As indicated below, CRC scored proficiently in four areas, achieving 100 percent in two of the
areas tested:
• The institution received a score of 100 percent when the OIG tested the timeliness of CRC’s
denials of providers’ specialty services requests for 20 inmate-patients (MIT 14.006).
• For 14 of the 15 inmate-patients sampled (93 percent), a high-priority specialty service
appointment or service occurred within 14 calendar days of the provider’s order. The one
exception was an inmate-patient who received his specialty service one day late.
(MIT 14.001).
• For all 15 of the inmate-patients sampled (100 percent), a routine specialty service
appointment or service occurred within 90 calendar days of the provider’s order
(MIT 14.003). The OIG also found that providers reviewed the specialists’ reports within
three business days for 13 of the patients (87 percent). For two of the patients, the provider
reviewed the specialist’s report 11 days late and 16 days late, respectively (MIT 14.004).
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
The institution performed adequately in the following areas:
• The OIG found that when the institution denied a request for specialty services, providers
did not always communicate the denial status to the inmate-patient within 30 calendar days.
Denials were timely communicated to the patient for 16 of the 19 specialty service denials
sampled (84 percent). The three exceptions were denials communicated 5, 23, and 62 days
late (MIT 14.007).
• The OIG also found that providers reviewed the specialists’ reports for high-priority services
within three business days for 10 of 13 patients sampled (77 percent). For three patients,
providers reviewed the reports between six and nine days late (MIT 14.002).
The institution needs to improve in the following key area:
• When inmate-patients are approved or scheduled for specialty services appointments from
one institution and then transfer to another institution, policy requires that the receiving
institution ensure that a patient’s appointment is timely rescheduled or scheduled, and held.
Only 14 of the 19 patients sampled (74 percent) received their specialty service appointment
within the required action date. Although three inmate-patients received their appointments
from 5 to 34 days late, the OIG found no conclusive evidence that the two other patients
received their appointments at all (MIT 14.005).
Recommendations
The OIG recommends CRC implement the following:
• Review the deficiencies identified in this indicator and perform quality improvement training,
specifically in the area of nursing performance. Training should ensure completeness of patient
assessment upon return from specialty appointments, including documentation of the receipt and
review of specialist records or recommendations.
• With regard to HIM, take steps to ensure specialty reports are retrieved and reviewed timely,
and that studies and reports are available to specialists at the time of a specialty visit.
• Ensure that providers communicate the status of a denied specialty service request to the
inmate-patient timely. In addition, ensure that inmate-patients who transfer to CRC with a
previously approved specialty service request receive their appointments within the required
time frame.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
SECONDARY (ADMINISTRATIVE) QUALITY INDICATORS OF HEALTH CARE
The last two quality indicators involve health care administrative systems and processes. Testing in
these areas applies only to the compliance component of the process. Therefore, there is no case
review assessment associated with either of the two indicators. As part of the compliance
component for the first indicator below, the OIG did not score several questions. Instead, the OIG
presented the findings for informational purposes only. For example, the OIG described certain
local processes in place at CRC.
To test both the scored and non-scored areas within these two secondary quality indicators, OIG
inspectors interviewed key institutional employees and reviewed documents during their onsite visit
to CRC in March 2015. The OIG inspectors also reviewed documents obtained from the institution
and from CCHCS prior to the start of the inspection.
INTERNAL MONITORING, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT, AND ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS
This indicator focuses on the institution’s administrative health care
Case Review Rating:
oversight functions. The OIG evaluates whether the institution
Not Applicable
promptly processes inmate-patient medical appeals and addresses
Compliance Score:
all appealed issues. Inspectors also verify that the institution follows 84.5%
reporting requirements for adverse/sentinel events and inmate
deaths, and whether the institution is making progress toward its Overall Rating:
Performance Improvement Work Plan initiatives. In addition, the Adequate
OIG verifies that the Emergency Medical Response Review
Committee (EMRRC) performs required reviews and that staff perform required emergency
response drills. Inspectors also assess whether the Quality Management Committee (QMC) meets
regularly and adequately addresses program performance. For those institutions with licensed
facilities, inspectors also verify that required committee meetings are held.
Compliance Testing Results
The institution scored within the adequate range in the Internal Monitoring, Quality Improvement,
and Administrative Operations indicator, receiving an overall score of 84.5 percent and a score of
100 percent in four of the seven tests. CRC performed well in the following areas:
• The OIG inspectors reviewed six recent months of QMC meeting minutes and confirmed
that the institution’s QMC met monthly, evaluated program performance, and took action
when improvement opportunities were identified. The institution also took adequate steps to
ensure the accuracy of its Dashboard data reporting (MIT 15.003, 15.004).
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
• For all three of the medical emergency response drills conducted in the prior quarter,
inspectors found that the institution included all required documentation and that both health
care staff and custody staff participated in the drills (MIT 15.101).
• When the OIG sampled ten second-level medical appeals, inspectors found that the
institution’s response addressed all of the patients’ appealed issues (MIT 15.102).
• Inspectors reviewed the institution’s medical appeal data and found that CRC promptly
processed inmate medical appeals timely in 11 of the 12 most recent months (92 percent).
Based on data received from the institution, CRC did not promptly process 9 percent of its
medical appeals in May 2014 (MIT 15.001).
The institution needs to improve in the following areas:
• When the OIG inspected documentation for 12 emergency medical response incidents
reviewed by the EMRRC during the prior six-month period, inspectors found CRC reviewed
the packets timely and included required forms and documentation. However, the meeting
minutes were signed by the warden and chief executive officer (CEO) for only 4 of the 12
incident packets discussed (33 percent). The warden’s designee signed the meeting minutes
for six incidents and the CEO’s designee signed the meeting minutes for two incidents
(MIT 15.007).
• When the OIG reviewed CRC’s 2014 Performance Improvement Work Plan, inspectors
found that the institution improved or reached its performance objectives for only two of its
three quality improvement initiatives, resulting in a score of 67 percent (MIT 15.005).
Other Information Obtained From Non-Scored Areas
• Inspectors met with the institution’s coordinator for health care appeals and CEO to inquire
about CRC’s protocols for tracking appeals. The coordinator provides a monthly workload
report to management staff and meets regularly with the CEO to discuss and resolve any
issues. The monthly reports break down the number of appeals and each appeal’s category
and status. The CEO also monitors second-level appeals to identify potential trends or
problem areas (MIT 15.997).
• Informational data gathered regarding the institution’s practices for implementing local
operating procedures (LOPs) indicated that the institution has a process in place for
developing LOPs. Applicable department managers review statewide (CCHCS) policies and
procedures and determine if they impact an existing LOP or require a new LOP. After the
manager modifies the existing LOP or develops a new LOP, he or she submits it to
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
executive management for approval. Once approved, the LOP is communicated to all
department managers, and to the warden, chief deputy warden, and health care captain.
Currently, CRC has implemented only 10 percent of the 49 applicable stakeholder
recommended LOPs. According to the CEO, the institution is utilizing CCHCS’s policies
and procedures until staff update existing LOPs or develop new LOPs (MIT 15.998).
• The OIG discusses the institution’s health care staffing resources in the About the Institution
section on page 2 (MIT 15.999).
CCHCS Dashboard Comparative Data
Both the CCHCS Dashboard and the OIG testing results show that CRC has a high level of
compliance for processing medical appeals.
Internal Monitoring, Quality Improvement, and Administrative Operations—
CRC Dashboard and OIG Compliance Results
CRC DASHBOARD RESULTS OIG COMPLIANCE RESULTS
Timely Appeals Medical Appeals—Timely Processing
(15.001)
March 2015 12-months ending January 2015
100% 92%
Note: The CCHCS Dashboard data includes appeal data for: American Disability Act (ADA), mental health, dental,
and staff complaint areas, whereas the OIG excluded these appeal areas.
Recommendation
The institution should ensure that all Emergency Medical Response Review Committee (EMRRC)
meeting minutes are signed by the warden and CEO, instead of a designee.
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
JOB PERFORMANCE, TRAINING, LICENSING, AND CERTIFICATIONS
In this indicator, the OIG examines whether the institution
Case Review Rating:
adequately manages its health care staffing resources by evaluating
Not Applicable
whether job performance reviews are completed as required;
Compliance Score:
specified staff possess current, valid credentials and professional 74.4%
licenses or certifications; nursing staff receive new employee
orientation training and annual competency testing; and clinical and Overall Rating:
Inadequate
custody staff have current medical emergency response
certifications.
Compliance Testing Results
The institution received an overall score of 74.4 percent in the Job Performance, Training,
Licensing, and Certifications indicator.
The institution needs to improve in three areas, as described below:
• Although nursing supervisors had completed the required number of nursing reviews for
five nurses the OIG sampled, there was no evidence that the supervisor discussed the results
of the review with the nurse. Consequently, the institution received a score of 0 percent for
this test (MIT 16.101).
• The institution did not always perform complete structured clinical performance appraisals
for its primary care providers (PCPs). The OIG reviewed performance evaluation packets for
the institution’s seven providers and found that CRC did not complete required 360-Degree
Evaluations for four of the PCPs, all of whom are all subject to the requirement. For another
PCP, the institution last conducted a performance appraisal over 13 months earlier, and did
not include a Performance Appraisal Summary (Std. Form 637) or a Core Competency-
Based Evaluation in the appraisal. As a result, the institution scored 29 percent for this test
(MIT 16.103).
• The OIG reviewed provider, nursing, and custody staff records to determine if the institution
ensures that those staff members have current emergency response certifications. While the
institution’s provider and nursing staff were all compliant, custody staff was not.
Specifically, none of the custody managers had a current certification on file. Although the
California Penal Code exempts those custody managers who primarily perform managerial
duties from medical emergency response certification training, CCHCS policy does not
allow for such an exemption. The institution received a score of 67 percent for this test
(MIT 16.104).
Medical Inspection Unit Page 53
Office of the Inspector General State of California
The institution received 100 percent for all five of the remaining tests, which included the following
assessments:
• All providers were current with their professional licenses. Similarly, all nursing staff and
the PIC were current with their professional license and certification requirements
(MIT 16.001, 16.105).
• All ten nursing staff who administer medications had current clinical competency
validations. In addition, all nursing staff hired within the last year timely received new
employee orientation training (MIT 16.102, 16.107).
• The institution’s pharmacy and providers who prescribe controlled substances were current
with their Drug Enforcement Agency registration (MIT 16.106).
Recommendations
The OIG recommends that CRC implement the following:
• Nursing supervisors who evaluate a nurse’s clinical performance should ensure all review
results are discussed with the nurse who received the evaluation.
• Managers or supervisors who evaluate a provider’s clinical performance should conduct
appraisals at least annually, and ensure that all appraisals include a 360-Degree Evaluation,
Performance Appraisal Summary, and Core Competency-Based Evaluation as part of the
provider’s evaluation packet.
• Management should ensure that all custody staff, including custody managers, receive and
maintain a current emergency response certification.
POPULATION-BASED METRICS
The compliance testing and the case reviews give an accurate assessment of how the institution’s
health care systems are functioning with regard to the patients with the highest risk and utilization.
This information is vital to assess the capacity of the institution to provide sustainable, adequate
care. However, one significant limitation of the case review methodology is that it does not give a
clear assessment of how the institution performs for the entire population. For better insight into this
performance, the OIG has turned to population-based metrics. For comparative purposes, the OIG
Medical Inspection Unit Page 54
Office of the Inspector General State of California
has selected several Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures for
disease management to gauge the institution’s effectiveness in outpatient health care, especially
chronic disease management.
What is HEDIS?
Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set is a set of standardized performance measures
developed by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) with input from over 300
organizations representing every sector of the nation’s health care industry. It is used by over
90 percent of the nation’s health plans as well as many leading employers and regulators. It was
designed to ensure that the public (including employers, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, and researchers) has the information it needs to accurately compare the performance of
health care plans. HEDIS data is often used to produce health plan report cards, analyze quality
improvement activities, and create performance benchmarks.
Methodology
For population-based metrics, the OIG used a subset of HEDIS measures applicable to the CDCR
inmate-patient population. Selection of the measures was based on the availability, reliability, and
feasibility of the data required for performing the measurement. The OIG collected data utilizing
various information sources, including the eUHR, the Master Registry (maintained by CCHCS), as
well as a random sample of patient records analyzed and abstracted by trained personnel. Data
obtained from the CCHCS Master Registry and Diabetic Registry was not independently validated
by the OIG and is presumed to be accurate. For some measures, the OIG used the entire population
rather than statistically random samples. While the OIG is not a certified HEDIS compliance
auditor, the OIG uses similar methods to ensure that measures are comparable to those published by
other organizations.
Comparison of Population-Based Metrics
For CRC, nine HEDIS measures were selected and are listed in Table 1—CRC Results Compared to
State and National HEDIS Scores. Multiple health plans publish their HEDIS performance
measures at both the State and national levels. The OIG has provided selected results for several
health plans in both categories for comparative purposes. In addition, the OIG selected California’s
Medi-Cal Managed Care Program as the population most similar to that of the CDCR inmate
population. As indicated in Table 2—CRC Results Compared to Medi-Cal Minimum and Maximum
Performance, the California Department of Health Care Services annually establishes a minimum
performance level (MPL) and a high performance level (HPL) for each of its required performance
measures. Where applicable, the OIG compared CRC’s results to the Medi-Cal MPL and HPL
results.
Medical Inspection Unit Page 55
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Results of Population-Based Metric Comparison
Comprehensive Diabetes Care
For chronic care management, the OIG chose measures related to the management of diabetes.
Diabetes is the most complex common chronic disease requiring a high level of intervention on the
part of the health care system in order to produce optimal results. CRC performed very well with its
management of diabetes.
When compared statewide, CRC significantly outperformed the Medi-Cal average scores (Table 1)
and exceeded the Medi-Cal HPL scores (Table 2) in each of the five diabetic measures selected.
With regard to Kaiser Permanente (Table 1), CRC outperformed Kaiser scores in four of the five
measures, including measures for diabetic patients whose diabetes was considered to be under poor
control and patients whose diabetes was considered to be under good control. The only measure
where CRC did not outperform Kaiser was diabetic patient eye exams.
When compared nationally (Table 1), CRC outperformed averages for Medicaid, Medicare, and
Commercial health plans (based on data obtained from health maintenance organizations) in each of
the five selected diabetic measures listed. When compared to the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA), the institution underperformed in eye exams by 13 percentage points, but either
outperformed or almost matched the VA in the three remaining comparative measures.
Immunizations
Comparative data for immunizations (Table 1) was only fully available for the VA, and partially
available for Kaiser Permanente (statewide) and Commercial (national). With respect to
administering influenza shots to adults aged 50 to 64, CRC’s score was similar to the scores for
Kaiser (statewide) and Commercial (national). However, when compared to the VA, CRC scored
significantly lower for administering flu shots to both adults aged 50 to 64 and adults aged 65 and
older. But, the institution’s low performance can be attributed to patient refusals. For example,
45 percent of CRC’s sampled patients aged 50 to 64, and 43 percent of sampled patients aged
65 and older, were offered the immunization but refused it. With respect to pneumococcal
vaccinations, the institution performed much better; both CRC and the VA scored 93 percent for
this measure.
Cancer Screening
With respect to colorectal cancer screening (Table 1), CRC’s score was similar to Kaiser’s
statewide scores. Nationally, CRC performed significantly higher than both Commercial and
Medicare, but performed 4 percentage points lower than the VA. However, the OIG found that an
additional 11 percent of CRC’s sampled patients were offered the colorectal cancer screening but
refused it.
Medical Inspection Unit Page 56
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Summary
California Rehabilitation Center’s population-based performance exceeded or matched all State and
national results for four of the nine comparative measures. Compared statewide, CRC outperformed
Medi-Cal in all diabetic measures and outperformed Kaiser Permanente scores in all diabetic
measures, except diabetic patient eye exams. The institution’s scores were similar to Kaiser’s scores
for influenza shots and colorectal cancer screenings. On a national level, CRC outperformed the
Medicaid, Commercial, and Medicare performance levels in all measures, but underperformed the
VA in five measures. Most notably, CRC scored significantly lower than the VA in measures
related to diabetic patient eye exams and influenza immunizations.
Overall, CRC’s performance reflects a high-performing chronic care program, corroborated by the
institution’s adequate ratings in the Quality of Provider Performance and Quality of Nursing
Performance indicators, and its proficient ratings in the Access to Care and Preventive Services
indicators. With regard to CRC’s performance in influenza immunizations and colorectal cancer
screenings, the institution should make interventions to lower the rate of patient refusals.
Medical Inspection Unit Page 57
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Table 1—CRC Results Compared to State and National HEDIS Scores
California National
Kaiser Kaiser
CRC HEDIS (No.CA) (So.CA) HEDIS
Clinical Measures
Medi- HEDIS HEDIS HEDIS Comm- HEDIS VA
Cycle 4 Cal Scores Scores Medicaid ercial Medicare Average
Results 1 2013 2 2014 3 2014 3 2013 4 2013 4 2013 4 2012 5
Comprehensive Diabetes Care
HbA1c Testing (Monitoring) 97% 83% 95% 94% 84% 90% 92% 99%
Poor HbA1c Control (>9.0%) 6,7 14% 40% 18% 21% 46% 31% 25% 19%
HbA1c Control (<8.0%) 6 72% 49% 70% 67% 46% 59% 66% -
Blood Pressure Control (<140/90) 6 86% 63% 82% 85% 60% 65% 66% 80%
Eye Exams 77% 51% 69% 82% 54% 56% 69% 90%
Immunizations
Influenza Shots - Adults (50–64) 8 55% - 59% 55% - 50% - 65%
Influenza Shots - Adults (65+) 57% - - - - - - 76%
Immunizations: Pneumococcal 93% - - - - - - 93%
Cancer Screening
Colorectal Cancer Screening 78% - 78% 80% - 63% 64% 82%
1. Unless otherwise stated, data was collected in March 2015 by reviewing medical records from a sample of CRC's population of
applicable inmate-patients. These random statistical sample sizes were based on a 95 percent confidence level with a 15 percent
maximum margin of error.
2. HEDIS Medi-Cal data was obtained from the California Department of Health Care Services 2013 HEDIS Aggregate Report for the
Medi-Cal Managed Care Program.
3. Data was obtained from Kaiser Permanente November 2014 reports for the Northern and Southern California regions.
4. National HEDIS data for Medicaid, Commercial, and Medicare was obtained from the 2014 State of Health Care Quality Report,
available on the NCQA website: www.ncqa.org. The results for Commercial were based on data received from various health
maintenance organizations.
5. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) data was obtained from the VHA Facility Quality and Safety Report - Fiscal Year 2012
Data.
6. For this indicator, the entire applicable CRC population was tested.
7. For this measure only, a lower score is better. For Kaiser, the OIG derived the Poor HbA1c Control indicator using the reported data
for the <9.0% HbA1c control indicator.
8. The Kaiser and Commercial HEDIS data is for the age range 18–64.
Medical Inspection Unit Page 58
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Table 2—CRC Results Compared to Medi-Cal Minimum and Maximum
Performance
California HEDIS California HEDIS
CRC Medi-Cal High Medi-Cal Minimum
Clinical Measures
Cycle 4 Performance Level Performance Level
Inspection Results 2013 2013
Comprehensive Diabetes Care
HbA1c Testing (Monitoring) 97% 91% 79%
Poor HbA1c Control (>9.0%)
14% 29% 50%
*Lower score is better
HbA1c Control (<8.0%) 72% 59% 42%
Blood Pressure Control (<140/90) 86% 75% 54%
Eye Exams 77% 70% 45%
CRC Cycle 4 California HEDIS California HEDIS
Inspection Results Medi-Cal High Medi-Cal Minimum
Performance Level 2013 Performance Level 2013
97%
91%
86%
79%
77%
75%
72%
70%
59%
54%
50%
45%
42%
29%
14%
HbA1c Testing Poor HbA1c Control HbA1c Control Blood Pressure Eye Exams
(Monitoring) (>9.0%) (<8.0%) Control (<140/90)
*Lower score is better
Medical Inspection Unit Page 59
Office of the Inspector General State of California
APPENDIX A—COMPLIANCE TEST RESULTS
California Rehabilitation Center
Range of Summary Scores: 62.2%–100%
Overall Score
Indicator
(Yes %)
Access to Care 95.4%
Diagnostic Services 91.1%
Emergency Services Not Applicable
Health Information Management (Medical Records) 68.9%
Health Care Environment 62.2%
Inter- and Intra-System Transfers 95.3%
Pharmacy and Medication Management 80.0%
Prenatal and Post-Delivery Services Not Applicable
Preventive Services 86.0%
Quality of Nursing Performance Not Applicable
Quality of Provider Performance Not Applicable
Reception Center Arrivals Not Applicable
Specialized Medical Housing (OHU, CTC, SNF, Hospice) 100.0%
Specialty Services 87.8%
Internal Monitoring, Quality Improvement, and Administrative Operations 84.5%
Job Performance, Training, Licensing, and Certifications 74.4%
Medical Inspection Unit Page 60
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Scored Answers
Yes
+
Reference Access to Care
Number Yes No No Yes % N/A
1.001 Chronic care follow-up appointments: Was the inmate- 28 2 30 93.33% 0
patient’s most recent chronic care visit within the health
care guideline’s maximum allowable interval or within the
ordered time frame, whichever is the shorter?
1.002 For endorsed inmate-patients received from another 24 1 25 96.00% 5
CDCR institution: If the nurse referred the inmate-
patient to a provider during the initial health screening,
was the inmate-patient seen within the required time
frame?
1.003 Clinical appointments: Did a registered nurse review the 32 0 32 100% 0
inmate-patient’s request for service the same day it was
received?
1.004 Clinical appointments: Did the registered nurse complete 32 0 32 100% 0
a face-to-face visit within one business day after the
CDCR Form 7362 was reviewed?
1.005 Clinical appointments: If the registered nurse determined 12 2 14 85.71% 18
a referral to a primary care provider was necessary, was
the inmate-patient seen within the maximum allowable
time or the ordered time frame, whichever is the shorter?
1.006 Sick call follow-up appointments: If the primary care 7 0 7 100% 25
provider ordered a follow-up sick call appointment, did it
take place within the time frame specified?
1.007 Upon the inmate-patient’s discharge from the 21 0 21 100% 0
community hospital: Did the inmate-patient receive a
follow-up appointment with a primary care provider
within the required time frame?
1.008 Specialty service follow-up appointments: Do specialty 25 5 30 83.33% 0
service primary care physician follow-up visits occur
within required time frames?
1.101 Clinical appointments: Do inmate-patients have a 4 0 4 100% 2
standardized process to obtain and submit Health Care
Services Request Forms?
Overall percentage: 95.38%
Medical Inspection Unit Page 61
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Scored Answers
Yes
+
Reference Diagnostic Services
Number
Yes No No Yes % N/A
2.001 Radiology orders: Was the radiology service provided 10 0 10 100% 0
within the time frame specified in the provider’s order?
2.002 Radiology orders: Did the primary care provider review 10 0 10 100% 0
and initial the diagnostic report within specified time
frames?
2.003 Radiology orders: Did the primary care provider 10 0 10 100% 0
communicate the results of the diagnostic study to the
inmate-patient within specified time frames?
2.004 Laboratory orders: Was the laboratory service provided 9 1 10 90.00% 0
within the time frame specified in the provider’s order?
2.005 Laboratory orders: Did the primary care provider review 9 1 10 90.00% 0
and initial the diagnostic report within specified time
frames?
2.006 Laboratory orders: Did the primary care provider 9 1 10 90.00% 0
communicate the results of the diagnostic study to the
inmate-patient within specified time frames?
2.007 Pathology: Did the institution receive the final diagnostic 10 0 10 100% 0
report within the required time frames?
2.008 Pathology: Did the primary care provider review and initial 10 0 10 100% 0
the diagnostic report within specified time frames?
2.009 Pathology: Did the primary care provider communicate the 5 5 10 50.00% 0
results of the diagnostic study to the inmate-patient within
specified time frames?
Overall percentage: 91.11%
Medical Inspection Unit Page 62
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Scored Answers
Yes
+
Reference Emergency Services
Number
Yes No No Yes % N/A
Assesses reaction times and responses to emergency
3 situations. The OIG RN clinicians will use detailed
Not Applicable
information obtained from the institution’s incident
packages to perform focused case reviews.
Scored Answers
Yes
Health Information Management
+
Reference (Medical Records)
Number
Yes No No Yes % N/A
4.001 Are non-dictated progress notes, initial health screening 19 1 20 95.00% 0
forms, and health care service request forms scanned into
the eUHR within three calendar days of the inmate-patient
encounter date?
4.002 Are dictated/transcribed documents scanned into the eUHR 14 6 20 70.00% 0
within five calendar days of the inmate-patient encounter
date?
4.003 Are specialty documents scanned into the eUHR within five 12 8 20 60.00% 0
calendar days of the inmate-patient encounter date?
4.004 Are community hospital discharge documents scanned into 17 3 20 85.00% 0
the eUHR within three calendar days of the inmate-patient
date of hospital discharge?
4.005 Are medication administration records (MARs) scanned 15 3 18 83.33% 0
into the eUHR within the required time frames?
4.006 During the eUHR review, did the OIG find that documents 4 8 12 33.33% 0
were correctly labeled and included in the correct inmate-
patient’s file?
4.007 Did clinical staff legibly sign health care records, when 11 21 32 34.38% 0
required?
4.008 For inmate-patients discharged from a community 19 2 21 90.48% 0
hospital: Did the preliminary hospital discharge report
include key elements, and did a provider review the report
within three calendar days of discharge?
Overall percentage: 68.94%
Medical Inspection Unit Page 63
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Scored Answers
Yes
+
Reference Health Care Environment
Number
Yes No No Yes % N/A
5.101 Infection control: Are clinical health care areas 3 5 8 37.50% 0
appropriately disinfected, clean, and sanitary?
5.102 Infection control: Do clinical health care areas ensure that 6 0 6 100% 2
reusable invasive and non-invasive medical equipment is
properly sterilized or disinfected as warranted?
5.103 Infection control: Do clinical health care areas contain 8 0 8 100% 0
operable sinks and sufficient quantities of hygiene supplies?
5.104 Infection control: Do clinical health care staff adhere to 5 2 7 71.43% 1
universal hand hygiene precautions?
5.105 Infection control: Do clinical health care areas control 2 6 8 25.00% 0
exposure to blood-borne pathogens and contaminated
waste?
5.106 Warehouse, Conex, and other non-clinic storage areas: 0 1 1 0.0% 7
Does the medical supply management process adequately
support the needs of the medical health care program?
5.107 Clinical areas: Does each clinic follow adequate protocols 8 0 8 100% 0
for managing and storing bulk medical supplies?
5.108 Clinical areas: Do clinic common areas and exam rooms 6 2 8 75.00% 0
have essential core medical equipment and supplies?
5.109 Clinical areas: Do clinic common areas have an adequate 8 0 8 100% 0
environment conducive to providing medical services?
5.110 Clinical areas: Do clinic exam rooms have an adequate 4 4 8 50.00% 0
environment conducive to providing medical services?
5.111 Emergency response bags: Are TTA and clinic emergency 1 3 4 25.00% 4
medical response bags inspected daily and inventoried
monthly, and do they contain essential items?
5.999 For Information Purposes Only: Does the institution’s
health care management believe that all clinical areas have
Information Only
physical plant infrastructures sufficient to provide adequate
health care services?
Overall percentage: 62.18%
Medical Inspection Unit Page 64
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Scored Answers
Yes
+
Reference Inter- and Intra-System Transfers
Number
Yes No No Yes % N/A
6.001 For endorsed inmate-patients received from another 28 2 30 93.33% 0
CDCR institution: Did nursing staff complete the initial
health screening and answer all screening questions on the
same day the inmate-patient arrived at the institution?
6.002 For endorsed inmate-patients received from another 30 0 30 100% 0
CDCR institution: When required, did the RN complete
the assessment and disposition section of the health
screening form; refer the inmate-patient to the TTA, if TB
signs and symptoms were present; and sign and date the
form on the same day staff completed the health screening?
6.003 For endorsed inmate-patients received from another 20 4 24 83.33% 6
CDCR institution: If the inmate-patient had an existing
medication order upon arrival, were medications
administered or delivered without interruption?
6.004 For inmate-patients transferred out of the facility: Were 19 0 19 100% 0
scheduled specialty service appointments identified on the
Health Care Transfer Information Form 7371?
6.101 For inmate-patients transferred out of the facility: Do 1 0 1 100% 4
medication transfer packages include required medications
along with the corresponding Medical Administration
Record and Medication Reconciliation?
Overall percentage: 95.33%
Medical Inspection Unit Page 65
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Scored Answers
Yes
+
Reference Pharmacy and Medication Management
Number
Yes No No Yes % N/A
7.001 Did the inmate-patient receive all chronic care medications 22 6 28 78.57% 2
within the required time frames, or did the institution follow
departmental policy for refusals or no-shows?
7.002 Did health care staff administer or deliver new order 29 1 30 96.67% 0
prescription medications to the inmate-patient within the
required time frames?
7.003 Upon the inmate-patient’s discharge from a community 20 1 21 95.24% 0
hospital: Were all medications ordered by the institution’s
primary care provider administered or delivered to the
inmate-patient within one calendar day of return?
7.004 For inmate-patients received from a county jail or
COCF: Were all medications ordered by the institution’s Not Applicable
reception center provider administered or delivered to the
inmate-patient within the required time frames?
7.005 Upon the inmate-patient’s transfer from one housing 29 1 30 96.67% 0
unit to another: Were medications continued without
interruption?
7.006 For en route inmate-patients who lay over at the
institution: If the temporarily housed inmate-patient had an Not Applicable
existing medication order, were medications administered
or delivered without interruption?
7.101 All clinical and medication line storage areas for 3 2 5 60.00% 10
narcotic medications: Does the institution employ strong
medication security controls over narcotic medications
assigned to its clinical areas?
7.102 All clinical and medication line storage areas for 4 2 6 66.67% 9
non-narcotic medications: Does the institution properly
store non-narcotic medications that do not require
refrigeration in assigned clinical areas?
7.103 All clinical and medication line storage areas for 5 3 8 62.50% 7
non-narcotic medications: Does the institution properly
store non-narcotic medications that require refrigeration in
assigned clinical areas?
7.104 Medication preparation and administration areas: Do 7 0 7 100% 8
nursing staff employ and follow hand hygiene
contamination control protocols during medication
preparation and medication administration processes?
7.105 Medication preparation and administration areas: Does 7 0 7 100% 8
the institution employ appropriate administrative controls
and protocols when preparing medications for inmate-
patients?
Medical Inspection Unit Page 66
Office of the Inspector General State of California
7.106 Medication preparation and administration areas: Does 5 2 7 71.43% 8
the institution employ appropriate administrative controls
and protocols when administering medications to inmate-
patients?
7.107 Pharmacy: Does the institution employ and follow general 0 1 1 0.0% 0
security, organization, and cleanliness management
protocols in its main and satellite pharmacies?
7.108 Pharmacy: Does the institution’s pharmacy properly store 1 0 1 100% 0
non-refrigerated medications?
7.109 Pharmacy: Does the institution’s pharmacy properly store 1 0 1 100% 0
refrigerated or frozen medications?
7.110 Pharmacy: Does the institution’s pharmacy properly 1 0 1 100% 0
account for narcotic medications?
7.111 Pharmacy: Does the institution follow key medication 18 7 25 72.00% 0
error reporting protocols?
7.998 For Information Purposes Only—Medication Errors:
During eUHR compliance testing and case reviews, did the
Information Only
OIG find that medication errors were properly identified
and reported by the institution?
7.999 For Information Purposes Only—Pharmacy: Do inmate-
patients in isolation housing units have immediate access to
Information Only
their KOP prescribed rescue inhalers and nitroglycerin
medications?
Overall percentage: 79.98%
Scored Answers
Yes
+
Reference Prenatal and Post-Delivery Services
Number
Yes No No Yes % N/A
8 This indicator is not applicable to this institution. Not Applicable
Medical Inspection Unit Page 67
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Scored Answers
Yes
+
Reference Preventive Services
Number
Yes No No Yes % N/A
9.001 Inmate-patients prescribed INH: Did the institution 30 0 30 100% 0
administer the medication to the inmate-patient as
prescribed?
9.002 Inmate-patients prescribed INH: Did the institution 22 8 30 73.33% 0
monitor the inmate-patient monthly for the most recent
three months he or she was on the medication?
9.003 Annual TB screening: Was the inmate-patient screened for 16 14 30 53.33% 0
TB within the last year?
9.004 Were all inmate-patients offered an influenza vaccination 30 0 30 100% 0
for the most recent influenza season?
9.005 All inmate-patients from the age of 50 through the age 29 1 30 96.67% 0
of 75: Was the inmate-patient offered colorectal cancer
screening?
9.006 Female inmate-patients from the age of 50 through the
age of 74: Was the inmate-patient offered a mammogram in Not Applicable
compliance with policy?
9.007 Female inmate-patients from the age of 21 through the
age of 65: Was the inmate-patient offered a pap smear in Not Applicable
compliance with policy?
9.008 Are required immunizations being offered for chronic care 13 1 14 92.86% 0
inmate-patients?
9.009 Are inmate-patients at the highest risk of
coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) infection transferred out Not Applicable
of the facility in a timely manner?
Overall percentage: 86.03%
Medical Inspection Unit Page 68
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Scored Answers
Yes
+
Reference Quality of Nursing Performance
Number
Yes No No Yes % N/A
The quality of nursing performance will be assessed during
10 case reviews, conducted by OIG clinicians, and is not
applicable for the compliance portion of the medical
inspection. The methodologies OIG clinicians use to Not Applicable
evaluate the quality of nursing performance are presented in
a separate inspection document entitled OIG MIU
Retrospective Case Review Methodology.
Scored Answers
Yes
+
Reference Quality of Provider Performance
Number Yes No No Yes % N/A
The quality of provider performance will be assessed during
case reviews, conducted by OIG clinicians, and is not
applicable for the compliance portion of the medical
11
inspection. The methodologies OIG clinicians use to Not Applicable
evaluate the quality of provider performance are presented
in a separate inspection document entitled OIG MIU
Retrospective Case Review Methodology.
Scored Answers
Yes
+
Reference Reception Center Arrivals
Number
Yes No No Yes % N/A
12 This indicator is not applicable to this institution. Not Applicable
Medical Inspection Unit Page 69
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Scored Answers
Yes
Specialized Medical Housing
+
Reference (OHU, CTC, SNF, Hospice)
Number Yes No No Yes % N/A
13.001 For all higher level care facilities: Did the registered nurse 10 0 10 100% 0
complete an initial assessment of the inmate-patient on the
day of admission, or within eight hours of admission to
CMF’s Hospice?
13.002 For OHU, CTC, and SNF only: Did the primary care 10 0 10 100% 0
provider for OHU or attending physician for CTC & SNF
evaluate the inmate-patient within 24 hours of admission?
13.003 For OHU, CTC, and SNF only: Was a written history and 10 0 10 100% 0
physical examination completed within 72 hours of
admission?
13.004 For all higher level care facilities: Did the primary care 10 0 10 100% 0
provider complete the Subjective, Objective, Assessment,
Plan, and Education (SOAPE) notes on the inmate-patient
at the minimum intervals required for the type of facility
where the inmate-patient was treated?
13.101 For OHU and CTC Only: Do inpatient areas either have a 1 0 1 100% 0
properly working call system in its OHU, CTC & GACH or
are 30-minute patient welfare checks performed; and do
medical staff have reasonably unimpeded access to enter
inmate-patient’s cells?
Overall percentage: 100%
Medical Inspection Unit Page 70
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Scored Answers
Yes
+
Reference Specialty Services
Number
Yes No No Yes % N/A
14.001 Did the inmate-patient receive the high-priority specialty 14 1 15 93.33% 0
service within 14 calendar days of the PCP order?
14.002 Did the PCP review the high-priority specialty service 10 3 13 76.92% 2
consultant report within three business days after the
service was provided?
14.003 Did the inmate-patient receive the routine specialty service 15 0 15 100% 0
within 90 calendar days of the PCP order?
14.004 Did the PCP review the routine specialty service consultant 13 2 15 86.67% 0
report within three business days after the service was
provided?
14.005 For endorsed inmate-patients received from another 14 5 19 73.68% 1
CDCR institution: If the inmate-patient was approved for
a specialty services appointment at the sending institution,
was the appointment scheduled at the receiving institution
within the required time frames?
14.006 Did the institution deny the primary care provider request 20 0 20 100% 0
for specialty services within required time frames?
14.007 Following the denial of a request for specialty services, was 16 3 19 84.21% 1
the inmate-patient informed of the denial within the
required time frame?
Overall percentage: 87.83%
Medical Inspection Unit Page 71
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Scored Answers
Internal Monitoring, Quality
Yes
Improvement, and Administrative
+
Reference Operations
Number Yes No No Yes % N/A
15.001 Did the institution promptly process inmate medical appeals 11 1 12 91.67% 0
during the most recent 12 months?
15.002 Does the institution follow adverse/sentinel event reporting Not Applicable
requirements?
15.003 Did the institution Quality Management Committee (QMC) 6 0 6 100% 0
meet at least monthly to evaluate program performance, and
did the QMC take action when improvement opportunities
were identified?
15.004 Did the institution’s Quality Management Committee 1 0 1 100% 0
(QMC) or other forum take steps to ensure the accuracy of
its Dashboard data reporting?
15.005 For each initiative in the Performance Improvement Work 2 1 3 66.7% 0
Plan (PIWP), has the institution performance improved or
reached the targeted performance objective(s)?
15.006 For institutions with licensed care facilities: Does the local 0
governing body (LGB), or its equivalent, meet quarterly Not applicable
and exercise its overall responsibilities for the quality
management of patient health care?
15.007 Does the Emergency Medical Response Review Committee 4 8 12 33.33% 0
perform timely incident package reviews that include the
use of required review documents?
15.101 Did the institution complete a medical emergency response 3 0 3 100% 0
drill for each watch and include participation of health care
and custody staff during the most recent full quarter?
15.102 Did the institution’s second level medical appeal response 10 0 10 100% 0
address all of the inmate-patient’s appealed issues?
15.103 Did the institution’s medical staff review and submit the
initial inmate death report to the Death Review Unit in a Not Applicable
timely manner?
15.996 For Information Purposes Only: Did the CCHCS Death
Review Committee submit its inmate Death Review Information Only
Summary to the institution timely?
15.997 For Information Purposes Only: Identify the institution’s
Information Only
protocols for tracking medical appeals.
15.998 For Information Purposes Only: Identify the institution’s
protocols for implementing health care local operating Information Only
procedures (LOPs).
15.999 For Information Purposes Only: Identify the institution’s
Information Only
health care staffing resources.
Overall percentage: 84.52%
Medical Inspection Unit Page 72
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Scored Answers
Yes
Job Performance, Training, Licensing,
+
Reference and Certifications
Number
Yes No No Yes % N/A
16.001 Do all providers maintain a current medical license? 9 0 9 100% 0
16.101 Does the institution’s Supervising Registered Nurse conduct 0 5 5 0.0% 0
periodic reviews of nursing staff?
16.102 Are nursing staff who administer medications current on 10 0 10 100% 0
their clinical competency validation?
16.103 Are structured clinical performance appraisals completed 2 5 7 28.57% 0
timely?
16.104 Are staff current with required medical emergency response 2 1 3 66.67% 0
certifications?
16.105 Are nursing staff and the pharmacist-in-charge current with 4 0 4 100% 2
their professional licenses and certifications?
16.106 Do the institution’s pharmacy and authorized providers who 1 0 1 100% 0
prescribe controlled substances maintain current Drug
Enforcement Agency (DEA) registrations?
16.107 Are nursing staff current with required new employee 1 0 1 100% 0
orientation?
Overall percentage: 74.40%
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
APPENDIX B—CLINICAL DATA
Table B-1: CRC Sample Sets
Sample Set Total
Anticoagulation 1
Diabetes 5
Emergency Services - Non-CPR 5
CTC/OHU 5
High Risk 7
Hospitalization 6
Intra-system Transfers-In 3
Intra-system Transfers-Out 3
RN Sick Call 20
Specialty Services 6
61
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Table B-2: CRC Chronic Care Diagnoses
Diagnosis Total
Anemia 7
Anticoagulation 1
Arthritis/Degenerative Joint Disease 3
Asthma 10
COPD 5
Cancer 5
Cardiovascular Disease 6
Chronic Kidney Disease 2
Chronic Pain 8
Cirrhosis/End Stage Liver Disease 1
Diabetes 21
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease 9
Gastrointestinal Bleed 1
HIV 3
Hepatitis C 20
Hyperlipidemia 22
Hypertension 35
Mental Health 10
Migraine Headaches 1
Seizure Disorder 3
Sleep Apnea 2
Thyroid Disease 2
177
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Table B-3: CRC Event—Program
Program Total
Diagnostic Services 138
Emergency Care 84
Hospitalization 104
Intra-system Transfers-In 18
Intra-system Transfers-Out 5
Outpatient Care 446
Specialized Medical Housing 237
Specialty Services 159
1,191
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
Table B-4: CRC Case Review Sample Summary
Total
MD Reviews Detailed 30
MD Reviews Focused 0
RN Reviews Detailed 21
RN Reviews Focused 28
Total Reviews 79
Total Unique Cases 61
Overlapping Reviews (MD & RN) 18
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Office of the Inspector General State of California
APPENDIX C—COMPLIANCE SAMPLING METHODOLOGY
California Rehabilitation Center
Sample Category
Quality (number of
Indicator patients) Data Source Filters
Access to Care Chronic Care Master Registry • Chronic care conditions (at least one condition per
(30—Basic Level) inmate-patient—any risk level)
(40—Inter Level) • Randomize
Nursing Sick Call MedSATS • Clinic (each clinic tested)
(5 per clinic) • Appt. date (2–9 months)
(minimum of 30) • Randomize
Returns from Inpatient Claims • See Health Information Management (Medical
Community Hospital Data Records) (returns from community hospital)
(30)
Diagnostic Radiology Radiology Logs • Appt. Date (90 days–9 months)
Services (10) • Randomize
• Abnormal
Laboratory Quest • Appt. date (90 days–9 months)
(10) • Order name (CBC or CMPs only)
• Randomize
• Abnormal
Pathology InterQual • Appt. date (90 days–9 months)
(10) • Service (pathology related)
• Randomize
Health Timely Scanning OIG Qs: 1.001, • Non-dictated documents
Information (20 each) 1.002, 1.006, & • First 5 inmate-patients selected for each question
Management 9.004
(Medical OIG Q: 1.001 • Dictated documents
Records) • First 20 inmate-patients selected
OIG Qs: 14.002 • Specialty documents
& 14.004 • First 10 inmate-patients selected for each question
OIG Q: 4.008 • Community hospital discharge documents
• First 20 inmate-patients selected for the question
OIG Q: 7.001 • MARs
• First 20 inmate-patients selected
Legible Signatures OIG Qs: 4.008, • First 8 inmates sampled
and Review 6.001/6.002, • One source document per inmate-patient
(40) 7.001,
12.001/12.002, &
14.002
Complete and Documents for • Any incorrectly scanned eUHR document
Accurate Scanning any tested inmate identified during OIG eUHR file review, e.g.,
mislabeled, misfiled, illegibly scanned, or missing
Returns from Inpatient Claims • Date (2–8 months)
Community Hospital Data • Most recent 6 months provided (within date range)
(30) • Rx count
• Discharge date
• Randomize (each month individually)
• First 5 inmate-patients from each of the 6 months
(if not 5 in a month, supplement from another, as
needed)
Medical Inspection Unit Page 78
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Sample Category
Quality (number of
Indicator patients) Data Source Filters
Health Care Clinical Areas OIG Inspector • Identify and inspect all onsite clinical areas.
Environment (number varies by Onsite Review
institution)
Inter- and Intra-System SOMS • Arrival date (3–9 months)
Intra-System transfers • Arrived from (another CDCR facility)
Transfers (30) • Rx count
• Randomize
Specialty Service MedSATS • Date of Transfer (3–9 months)
Send-outs • Randomize
(20)
Pharmacy and Chronic Care OIG Q: 1.001 See Access to Care
Medication Medication • (At least one condition per inmate-patient—any
Management (30—Basic Level) risk level)
(40—Inter Level) • Randomize
New Medication Master Registry • Rx Count
Orders • Randomize
(30—Basic Level) • Ensure no duplication of inmate-patients tested in
(40—Inter Level) chronic care medications
Intra-Facility moves MAPIP Transfer • Date of transfer (2–8 months)
(30) Data • To location/from location (yard to yard and
to/from ASU)
• Remove any to/from MHCB
• NA/DOT meds (high–low)–inmate-patient must
have NA/DOT meds to qualify for testing
• Randomize
En Route SOMS • Date of transfer (2–8 months)
(10) • Sending institution (another CDCR facility)
N/A at this institution • Randomize
• Length of stay (minimum of 2 days)
• NA/DOT meds
Returns from Inpatient Claims • See Health Information Management (Medical
Community Hospital Data Records) (returns from community hospital)
(30)
Medication OIG Inspector • Identify and inspect onsite clinical areas that
Preparation and Onsite Review prepare and administer medications
Administration Areas
Pharmacy OIG Inspector • Identify and inspect onsite pharmacies
Onsite Review
Medication Error OIG Inspector • Any medication error identified during OIG eUHR
Reporting Review file review, e.g., case reviews and/or compliance
testing
Prenatal and Recent Deliveries OB Roster • Delivery date (2–12 months)
Post-delivery (5) • Most recent deliveries (within date range)
Services N/A at this institution
Pregnant Arrivals OB Roster • Arrival date (2–12 months)
(5) • Earliest arrivals (within date range)
N/A at this institution
Medical Inspection Unit Page 79
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Sample Category
Quality (number of
Indicator patients) Data Source Filters
Preventive Chronic Care OIG Q: 1.001 • Chronic care conditions (at least 1 condition per
Services Vaccinations inmate-patient—any risk level)
(30—Basic Level) • Randomize
(40—Inter Level) • Condition must require vaccination(s)
Not all conditions
require vaccinations
INH Maxor • Dispense date (past 9 months)
(all applicable up to • Time period on INH (at least a full 3 months)
30) • Randomize
Colorectal Screening SOMS • Arrival date (at least 1 year prior to inspection)
(30) • Date of birth (51 or older)
• Randomize
Influenza SOMS • Arrival date (at least 1 year prior to inspection)
Vaccinations • Randomize
(30) • Filter out inmate-patients tested in chronic care
vaccination sample
TB Code 22, annual SOMS • Arrival date (at least 1 year prior to inspection)
TST • TB Code (22)
(15) • Randomize
TB Code 34, annual SOMS • Arrival date (at least 1 year prior to inspection)
screening • TB Code (34)
(15) • Randomize
Mammogram SOMS • Arrival date (at least 2 years prior to inspection)
(30) • Date of birth (age 52–74)
N/A at this institution • Randomize
Pap Smear SOMS • Arrival date (at least three years prior to
(30) inspection)
N/A at this institution • Date of birth (age 24–53)
• Randomize
Valley Fever Cocci Transfer • Reports from past 2–8 months
(number will vary) Status Report • Institution
• Ineligibility date (60 days prior to inspection date)
N/A at this institution • All
Reception RC SOMS • Arrival date (2–8 months)
Center Arrivals (20) • Arrived from (county jail, return from parole, etc.)
• Randomize
N/A at this institution
Specialized OHU, CTC, SNF, CADDIS • Admit date (1–6 months)
Medical Hospice • Type of stay (no MH beds)
Housing (10 per housing area) • Length of stay (minimum of 5 days)
• Randomize
Medical Inspection Unit Page 80
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Sample Category
Quality (number of
Indicator patients) Data Source Filters
Specialty High-Priority MedSATS • Appt. date (3–9 months)
Services Access (10) • Randomize
Routine MedSATS • Appt. date (3–9 months)
(10) • Remove optometry, physical therapy or podiatry
• Randomize
Specialty Service MedSATS • Sending institution
Arrivals • Date of transfer (3–9 months)
(20) • Sent to (another CDCR facility)
• Randomize
Denials InterQual • Review date (3–9 months)
(20)* • Randomize
IUMC/MAR • Meeting date (9 months)
*Ten InterQual Meeting Minutes • Denial upheld
Ten MARs
• Randomize
Internal Medical Appeals Monthly Medical • Medical appeals (12 months)
Monitoring, (all) Appeals Reports
Quality Adverse/Sentinel Adverse/Sentinel • Adverse/sentinel events (2–8 months)
Improvement, Events Events Report
and (5)
Administrative QMC Meetings Quality • Meeting minutes (12 months)
Operations (12) Management
Committee
Meeting Minutes
Performance Performance • Performance Improvement Work Plan with
Improvement Plans Improvement updates (12 months)
(12) Work Plan
Local Governing Local Governing • Meeting minutes (12 months)
Body Body Meeting
(12) Minutes
EMRRC EMRRC • Meeting minutes (6 months)
(6) Meeting Minutes
Medical Emergency OIG Inspector • Most recent full quarter
Response Drills Onsite Review • Each watch
(3)
2nd Level Medical OIG Inspector • Medical appeals denied (6 months)
Appeals Onsite Review
(10)
Death Reports OIG Inspector • Death reports (12 months)
(10) Onsite Review
Local Operating OIG Inspector • Review all
Procedures Onsite Review
(all)
Medical Inspection Unit Page 81
Office of the Inspector General State of California
Sample Category
Quality (number of
Indicator patients) Data Source Filters
Job Performance RN Review OIG Inspector • Current Supervising RN reviews
and Training, Evaluations Onsite Review
Licensing, and (5)
Certifications Nursing Staff OIG Inspector • Review annual competency validations
Validations Onsite Review • Randomize
(10)
Provider Annual OIG Inspector • All required performance evaluation documents
Evaluation Packets Onsite Review
(all)
Medical Emergency OIG Inspector • All staff
Response Onsite Review Providers (ACLS)
o
Certifications Nursing (BLS/CPR)
o
(all) Custody (CPR/BLS)
o
Nursing staff and OIG Inspector • All licenses and certifications
Pharmacist-in-charge Onsite Review
Professional Licenses
and Certifications
(all)
Pharmacy and OIG Inspector • All current DEA registrations
Providers’ Drug Onsite Review
Enforcement Agency
(DEA) Registrations
(all)
Nursing Staff New OIG Inspector • New employees (within the last 12 months)
Employee Onsite Review
Orientations
(all)
Medical Inspection Unit Page 82
Office of the Inspector General State of California
C C
ALIFORNIA ORRECTIONAL
H C S ’
EALTH ARE ERVICES
R
ESPONSE
Medical Inspection Unit Page 83
Office of the Inspector General State of California