§ 205. IMPROVED PERFORMANCE METRICS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
520 words·~2 min read·
/usc/title-38/section-205A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Prohibition on Use of Scheduling and Wait-Time Metrics in Determination of Performance Awards .— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that scheduling and wait-time metrics or goals are not used as factors in determining the performance of the following employees for purposes of determining whether to pay performance awards to such employees: Directors, associate directors, assistant directors, deputy directors, chiefs of staff, and clinical leads of medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Directors, assistant directors, and quality management officers of Veterans Integrated Service Networks of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Modification of Performance Plans.— In general .— Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [ Aug. 7, 2014 ], the Secretary shall modify the performance plans of the directors of the medical centers of the Department and the directors of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks to ensure that such plans are based on the quality of care received by veterans at the health care facilities under the jurisdictions of such directors.
Factors .— In modifying performance plans under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that assessment of the quality of care provided at health care facilities under the jurisdiction of a director described in paragraph
(1)includes consideration of the following: Recent reviews by the Joint Commission (formerly known as the ‘Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations’) of such facilities. The number and nature of recommendations concerning such facilities by the Inspector General of the Department in reviews conducted through the Combined Assessment Program, in the reviews by the Inspector General of community-based outpatient clinics and primary care clinics, and in reviews conducted through the Office of Healthcare Inspections during the two most recently completed fiscal years. The number of recommendations described in subparagraph
(B)that the Inspector General of the Department determines have not been carried out satisfactorily with respect to such facilities. Reviews of such facilities by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The number and outcomes of administrative investigation boards, root cause analyses, and peer reviews conducted at such facilities during the fiscal year for which the assessment is being conducted. The effectiveness of any remedial actions or plans resulting from any Inspector General recommendations in the reviews and analyses described in subparagraphs
(A)through (E). Additional leadership positions .— To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall assess the performance of other employees of the Department in leadership positions at Department medical centers, including associate directors, assistant directors, deputy directors, chiefs of staff, and clinical leads, and in Veterans Integrated Service Networks, including assistant directors and quality management officers, using factors and criteria similar to those used in the performance plans modified under paragraph (1). Removal of Certain Performance Goals .— For each fiscal year that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall not include in the performance goals of any employee of a Veterans Integrated Service Network or medical center of the Department any performance goal that might disincentivize the payment of Department amounts to provide hospital care, medical services, or other health care through a non-Department provider.