Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews: Branson, MO and Harrison, AR; Conroe and Lufkin, TX; Hammond and Houma, LA

The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed six Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the week of April 11, 2011. CBOCs were reviewed in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 16 at Branson, MO and Harrison, AR; Conroe and Lufkin, TX; and Hammond and Houma, LA. The parent facilities of these CBOCs are Veterans Healthcare System (HCS) of the Ozarks, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, and Southeast Louisiana Veterans HCS, respectively. The purpose of the review was to assess whether CBOCs are operated in a manner that provides veterans with consistent, safe, high-quality health care. The review covered the following focused topic areas: mental health continuity of care, short-term fee basis, women’s health, credentialing and privileging, skills competency, environment and emergency management, Primary Care Management Module, and contracts. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made a total of 24 recommendations to the VISN and facility managers.