Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of VA St. Louis Health Care System, St. Louis, Missouri

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
15-00123-211
VISN
State
Illinois
Missouri
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
4
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
The VA Office of Inspector General conducted a review of the VA St. Louis Health Care System’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 Primary Care Annex 2, St. Louis, MO, CBOC as a representative site and evaluated the environment of care on March 3, 2015. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made four recommendations in the following focused review areas: Alcohol Use Disorder 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 the information technology server closet at the Primary Care Team 2 Annex is maintained according to information technology safety and security standards.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that clinic staff consistently document the offer of further treatment to patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Clinic Registered Nurse Care Managers receive motivational interviewing training within 12 months of appointment to Patient Aligned Care Teams.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Clinic Registered Nurse Care Managers, providers, and clinical associates receive health coaching training within 12 months of appointment to Patient Aligned Care Teams.