Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews Fort Pierce and Sebring, FL; Dyersburg, TN; Smithville, MS

The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed four Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the weeks of January 30 and February 13, 2012. CBOCs were reviewed in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 8 at Fort Pierce and Sebring, FL; and in VISN 9 at Dyersburg, TN, and Smithville, MS. 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 28 recommendations to the VISN and facility managers.