Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews Gillette and Powell, WY; Pueblo, CO; Anaheim and Laguna Hills, CA; Escondido and Oceanside, CA; Lancaster and Sepulveda, CA

The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed nine Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the week of July 25, 2011. CBOCs were reviewed in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19 at Gillette and Powell, WY; and Pueblo, CO; and, in VISN 22 at Anaheim and Laguna Hills, CA; Escondido and Oceanside, CA; and Lancaster and Sepulveda, CA. The parent facilities of these CBOCs are Sheridan VA Medical Center, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (HCS), VA Long Beach HCS, VA San Diego HCS, and VA Greater Los Angeles 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 care, 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 38 recommendations to the VISN and facility managers.