Healthcare Facility Inspection of the VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System in Bath, New York

VA Office of Inspector General · Report 26-00059-221 · October 2, 2026 · Office of Healthcare Inspections

What the OIG found

OIG inspected the Finger Lakes system in Bath, New York from May 5 through 7, 2026, reviewing a low-complexity facility that provided direct care to 33,076 patients in fiscal year 2025 across five domains: culture, environment of care, patient safety, integrated veteran care, and the veteran-centered safety net. All three recommendations came from environment of care, where inspectors found multiple safety and compliance issues, some of them repeat findings: crosswalks without detectable warning surfaces, rainwater pooled on floors, missing biohazard signs, blocked or confusing exit routes, inconsistent temperature and humidity monitoring in medication rooms, inaccessible sinks in soiled utility rooms, dusty sprinkler heads, doors that did not latch, and expired supplies stored outside standard supply rooms. Staff corrected many issues during the inspection or had improvement projects underway, and no recommendations arose in the other four domains. OIG recommended the Director complete a safety risk assessment of enclosed walkways and fix slip hazards, have staff regularly identify and remove expired supplies, and have the network Director monitor the facility’s processes to prevent repeat environment of care findings.

Who it concerns

VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System in Bath, New York

Why it matters to a family

For families visiting or placing a loved one in this system’s community living centers, the findings are about physical safety in the building itself: slip hazards, clear exit routes, working door latches, and supplies that are not past their expiration dates.

The official report

The OIG’s report page · Full report (PDF)

Summary ours; the report is the OIG’s. Read it at vaoig.gov →