Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews at VA Maine Healthcare System, Augusta, ME

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
13-00026-197
VISN
State
Maine
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
5
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed the VA Maine Healthcare System’s seven Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the week of March 11, 2013. The purpose of the review was to assess whether the CBOCs provide veterans with consistent and safe high-quality health care. The review covered the clinical care components of women’s health cervical cancer screening and tetanus and pneumococcal vaccinations. We also randomly selected the Bangor, ME, and Calais, ME, CBOCs for site visits and evaluated credentialing and privileging, environment of care, and emergency management processes. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made a total of five recommendations to the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) and facility managers.

Open Recommendation Image, SquareOpenClosed and Implemented Recommendation Image, CheckmarkClosed-ImplementedNot Implemented Recommendation Image, X character'Closed-Not Implemented
No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that a process be established to ensure that the ordering provider or surrogate is notified of normal cervical cancer screening results within the allotted timeframe and that notification is documented in the EHR.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that managers ensure that patients with normal cervical cancer screening results are notified of results within the defined timeframe and that notification is documented in the EHR.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that patients' PII is protected and secured at the Bangor CBOC.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Chief of OI&T evaluates security of the IT closet and implements required measures at the Bangor CBOC.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that all identified EOC deficiencies and corrective actions at the Bangor and Calais CBOCs are tracked and trended by the EOC Committee.