Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews Pensacola (Joint Ambulatory Care Center), FL; New Braunfels, San Antonio (North Central Federal Clinic), and Victoria, TX

The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed four Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the week of November 14, 2011. CBOCs were reviewed in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 16 at Pensacola (Joint Ambulatory Care Center), FL and in VISN 17 at New Braunfels, San Antonio (North Central Federal Clinic), and Victoria, TX. 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 contracts. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made a total of 14 recommendations to the VISN and facility managers.