Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews Ft. Pierce and Okeechobee, FL; Charleston and Williamson, WV; Mansfield and New Philadelphia, OH; Agana Heights, GU and Hilo, HI

The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed eight Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the week of September 26, 2011. CBOCs were reviewed in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 8 at Ft. Pierce and Okeechobee, FL; in VISN 9 at Charleston and Williamson, WV; in VISN 10 at Mansfield and New Philadelphia, OH; and, in VISN 21 at Agana Heights, GU and Hilo, HI. The parent facilities of these CBOCs are West Palm Beach VA Medical Center (VAMC), Huntington VAMC, Louis Stokes VAMC, and VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, 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 41 recommendations to the VISN and facility managers.