Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews Chico, McClellan, and Oakland, CA

The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed three Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the week of December 5, 2011. CBOCs were reviewed in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 21 at Chico, McClellan, and Oakland, CA. 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, and CBOC satellite. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made a total of 11 recommendations to the VISN and facility managers.