The Department of Health was unable to provide evidence-based documentation to substantiate 33 Public Health decisions made during the COVID-19 pandemic. The audit covered operational areas that were meant to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including testing, contact tracing, contact management and infection prevention and control guidance. The auditor general made seven recommendations for the Department of Health. Among them: ensure the development and retention of adequate documentation to substantiate Public Health measures. The target date is listed as ongoing. Other recommendations for the department include:
- Develop, monitor and report on established key performance indicators. Targets should be regularly reviewed for ongoing relevance and revised accordingly;
- Provide clear targets to support the decision-making process when moving between various phases of a staffing crisis action plan. This should form part of an up-to-date pandemic plan;
- Develop a contingency plan, as part of the business continuity planning, that outlines backup procedures for key personnel, both at the department and regional levels; and
- Review the efficacy of the critical care nursing initiative to determine if it accomplished its intended objectives and note any future improvements should the need arise again.
Related:
Le vérificateur général a déterminé que le ministère de la Santé et les régies régionales de la santé se sont surpassés pour soutenir la population du Nouveau-Brunswick pendant la pandémie - Gouvernement du Nouveau-Brunswick