Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews Mattoon and Springfield, IL; Lawrence, KS; St. Joseph, MO

The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed four Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the weeks of May14 and 21, 2012. CBOCs were reviewed in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 11 at Mattoon and Springfield, IL; and in VISN 15 at Lawrence, KS; and St. Joseph, MO. 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: women’s health, management of diabetes mellitus-lower limb peripheral vascular disease, heart failure follow-up, credentialing and privileging, and environment and emergency management. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made a total of 20 recommendations to the VISN and facility managers.