Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews Montrose, CO Bellevue, Lincoln, and Norfolk, NE

The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed four Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the weeks of October 17 and October 31, 2011. CBOCs were reviewed in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19 at Montrose, CO and in VISN 23 at Bellevue, Lincoln, and Norfolk, NE. 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: short-term fee basis care, women’s health, management of diabetes mellitus-lower limb peripheral vascular disease, heart failure follow-up, credentialing and privileging, environment and emergency management. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made a total of 11 recommendations to the VISN and facility managers.