Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews at Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, and VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System, Harlingen, TX

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
13-00026-213
VISN
State
Texas
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
12
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System’s five Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the week of March 4, 2013, and the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System’s four CBOCs during the week of April 1, 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 following CBOCs for site visits and evaluated credentialing and privileging, environment of care, and emergency management processes: Cedar Park CBOC, Cedar Park, TX; Corpus Christi Satellite Clinic, Corpus Christi, TX; Harlingen Outpatient Clinic, Harlingen, TX; Laredo CBOC, Laredo, TX; and McAllen Satellite Clinic, McAllen, TX. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made a total of 12 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 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. 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 managers ensure that clinicians administer pneumococcal vaccinations when indicated.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that managers ensure that clinicians document all required tetanus and pneumococcal vaccination administration elements and that compliance is monitored.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that managers ensure that clinicians administer pneumococcal vaccinations when indicated.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that managers ensure that clinicians document all required pneumococcal vaccination administration elements and that compliance is monitored.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the service chief’s documentation in VetPro reflects documents reviewed and the rationale for re-privileging at the Cedar Park CBOC.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the service chief’s documentation in VetPro reflects documents reviewed and the rationale for re-privileging at the Corpus Christi Satellite, Harlingen OPC, and Laredo CBOC.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that signage is installed at the Corpus Christi Satellite, Harlingen OPC, and McAllen Satellite to clearly identify the location of fire extinguishers.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that a panic alarm system is installed at the Laredo CBOC.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that medications are reviewed for need, secured, and only accessible by those individuals who either dispen
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the placement of the telecommunications network beevaluated and that appropriate safety measures are implemented at theCorpus Christi Satellite.