The Pentagon inspector general's review of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization last year found that it "unnecessarily increased" national security risks, even if it ultimately had no immediate consequences.

"While we did not find that the handling of hospitalizations we reviewed had any adverse impact on DoD operations, our defense risks, including the command and control of DoD's critical national security operations, were unnecessarily increased," said Inspector General Roberts. ” Storch said in a statement.

In early 2024, Austin was hospitalized for two weeks due to complications related to prostate cancer surgery. Pentagon faces sharp criticism It took several days to notify the White House that Austin was in the hospital and at one point in the intensive care unit.

The report said that while Austin was hospitalized, he handed over some of his responsibilities to the deputy secretary of defense from January 2 to 5, but neither of them informed Congress or the White House Situation Room "in a timely manner." As needed.

The report found that Austin did not consider handing over authority when he underwent medical procedures requiring moderate sedation on January 6 and 8. The inspector general found no evidence that Austin told the deputy secretary of state or his chief of staff that he was undergoing the procedure. According to the review, Austin texted his chief of staff saying he didn't want his health to become a "media circus."

Austin told inspector general investigators that he told doctors he must notify his superiors if he received general anesthesia. He signed a form admitting to moderate sedation but said he needed to remain functional because "that's the mandate...I believe it's going to happen." He said his doctor met his "requirements to maintain...function."

Still, the inspector general said in its 20 recommendations that the Department of Defense should further define what it means to be "medically incapacitated" and "unable to perform its functions and duties." Other recommendations include expanding the pool of people who can report hospitalizations of the secretary of defense or senior Pentagon officials.

The inspector general announced last year that it would launch a review to "examine the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities and actions related to the hospitalization of the Secretary of Defense between December 2023 and January 2024, and assess whether DoD's policies and procedures were adequate to ensure timely and appropriate notification and effective transition of authority that may be required due to unavailability of senior leadership due to health or other reasons.”

The review found Austin's intense privacy affected the course of events. Not only did Austin allegedly fail to tell his senior staff about his medical condition or his appointment, "he specifically told one junior staff member 'If anyone has any questions, they are more than welcome to ask[me]directly.'"

After returning to work at the Pentagon after being hospitalized, Austin apologized for not telling President Biden or the public when and why he was hospitalized.

"We didn't handle it right and I didn't handle it right," Austin said. "I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have told my team and the American public as well. I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and the American people."

CBS News Gets Audio from the 911 call shows an aide asking the operator if an ambulance heading to Austin's residence could use caution.

"Can I ask if the ambulance can show up with lights and sirens? We're trying to keep a low profile," the caller said.

Another Pentagon review released last year concluded not intentionally Austin or his aides did not have the best intentions in keeping the hospitalization secret, but he also acknowledged that the policy of transferring secretarial duties needed improvement.

Austin told David Martin in an interview "CBS Sunday Morning" Interview He is now cancer-free.

“I thank God for that,” Austin said.

The report comes as Austin prepares to leave office following the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.