DHHS tells audit committee it is addressing hospital medication controls, HCBS pilot payment issues and improving child-protection response times

Department of Health and Human Services officials told the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee they have taken steps to address findings in the 2022–23 operating audit relating to the State Hospital’s controlled substances handling, a pilot workforce retention payment program for home- and community-based services (HCBS), and timeliness of face-to-face child-protection visits.

State hospital controlled-substance controls

Dr. Ed Yabbot (medical director for the State Hospital) told the committee auditors found opportunities but no confirmed diversion of controlled substances. The hospital agreed with the recommendation to install automated medication-dispensing cabinets (Pyxis) to tighten tracking and reduce manual handling. "We were given an appropriation for about $75,000 to procure 7 or 8 Pyxis dispensing cabinets," Dr. Yabbot said; procurement was underway but, as of the meeting, the machines were held up in contract and procurement review with an anticipated arrival around March (as stated in committee testimony). Monthly pharmacy inspections and tighter waste-handling procedures were already in place while Pyxis installation is completed.

HCBS 10% workforce-retention pilot: payments, verification and recoupments

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