{"id":11760,"date":"2024-09-18T10:53:50","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T14:53:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=11760"},"modified":"2024-09-18T10:56:44","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T14:56:44","slug":"virginia-department-of-health-announces-office-of-emergency-medical-services-audit-findings","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/virginia-department-of-health-announces-office-of-emergency-medical-services-audit-findings\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Department of Health Announces Office of Emergency Medical Services Audit Findings"},"content":{"rendered":"

September 18, 2024
\nMEDIA CONTACT:
\n<\/strong>Maria Reppas, maria.reppas@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a>
\nMarian Hunter, marian.hunter@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

Virginia Department of Health Announces Office of Emergency Medical Services Audit Findings <\/strong><\/p>\n

VDH implements critical reforms and strengthens financial oversight to support a more efficient and accountable EMS system<\/em><\/p>\n

(RICHMOND, Va.<\/strong>) \u2013 On Wednesday, September 18, Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Commissioner Dr. Karen Shelton and Chief Operating Officer Christopher Lindsay shared the results of a year-long audit they had requested into VDH\u2019s Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS).<\/p>\n

The audit identified significant financial irregularities by former OEMS leadership, dating back to 2019. This resulted in $33 million in unpaid debts and over-obligations, including more than $4 million in fraudulent charges, and has since led to major reforms and the conviction of a former employee.<\/p>\n

In the summer of 2023, Dr. Karen Shelton requested the internal audit after discovering the financial irregularities. The internal audit revealed multi-million-dollar contracts that bypassed state procurement rules through the use of Regional EMS Councils, as well as the improper allocation of funds from the mandated Trauma Fund and Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grants to cover the costs for the EMS Symposium, inflated operating expenses, and EMS-related technology.<\/p>\n

\u201cLack of oversight and internal controls within OEMS led to financial irregularities and criminal fraud that had impacts at\u00a0state, regional, and local EMS levels,\u201d said VDH<\/strong> Commissioner<\/strong> Karen Shelton, MD<\/strong>. \u201cWhile these\u00a0findings\u00a0are difficult to confront, VDH has been taking proactive measures to address these issues which will lead to a\u00a0well\u00a0supported EMS system across the Commonwealth.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Internal Audit Report outlined 63 key recommendations for VDH Leadership and the OEMS. Dr. Shelton and Mr. Lindsay presented the key findings of the audit, highlighting initiatives that have already been completed or that are planned as part of the effort to bring OEMS into compliance with the audit findings.<\/p>\n

The following are some of the significant changes which have been implemented:<\/p>\n