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Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, Reno, Nevada

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
15-00127-357
VISN
State
California
Nevada
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 conducted a review of the VA Sierra Nevada 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 care, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening, and outpatient documentation. We also randomly selected the Reno East Campus CBOC, Reno, NV, as a representative site and evaluated the environment of care on March 24, 2015. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made five recommendations in the following focused review areas: Alcohol Use Disorder Care, 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 panic alarms are tested and testing is documented at the Reno East Campus CBOC.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that clinic staff provide education and counseling for patients with positive alcohol screens and alcohol consumption above National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism limits.
No. 3
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. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that clinic staff document a plan to monitor the alcohol use of patients who decline referral to specialty care.
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.