Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, West Palm Beach, Florida

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
15-00113-161
VISN
State
Florida
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
6
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
The VA Office of Inspector General conducted a review of the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center’s Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and other outpatient clinics to evaluate for safe, consistent, and high-quality health care. The review evaluated the clinics’ compliance with selected VHA requirements for alcohol use disorder, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening, and outpatient documentation. We also randomly selected the Delray Beach, FL, CBOC as a representative site and evaluated the environment of care on January 27, 2015. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made six recommendations in the following focused review areas: Alcohol Use Disorder, HIV Screening, and Environment of Care.

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 medications are reviewed for need, secured, and only accessible by those individuals who either dispense or administer medications at the Delray Beach, FL, CBOC and that compliance is monitored.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that patient-identifiable information on laboratory specimens is protected during transport from the Delray Beach, FL, CBOC to the parent facility.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the door to the examination room designated for women veterans is equipped with electronic or manual locks at the Delray Beach, FL, CBOC.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Registered Nurse Care Managers, providers, and clinical associates in the outpatient clinics receive health coaching training within 12 months of appointment to Patient Aligned Care Teams.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that clinicians provide human immunodeficiency virus testing as part of routine medical care for patients and that compliance is monitored.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that clinicians consistently document informed consent for human immunodeficiency virus testing and that compliance is monitored.