Breadcrumb

Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of Battle Creek VA Medical Center, Battle Creek, Michigan

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
15-00155-16
VISN
State
Michigan
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
10
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
The VA Office of Inspector General conducted a review of the Battle Creek 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 care, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening, outpatient documentation, and outpatient lab results management. We also randomly selected the Muskegon VA Clinic, Muskegon, MI, as a representative site and evaluated the environment of care on August 11, 2015. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made 10 recommendations in the following focused review areas: Alcohol Use Disorder Care, HIV Screening, Outpatient Lab Results Management, 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 staff protect and secure specimens and patient-identifiable information at the Muskegon VA Clinic.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the doors to the examination rooms designated for women veterans are equipped with electronic or manual locks at the Muskegon VA Clinic.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that staff position monitors or use privacy screens to prevent viewing of personally identifiable information on computers in public areas at the Muskegon VA Clinic.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that clinic staff consistently complete diagnostic assessments for patients with a positive alcohol screen.
No. 5
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. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that managers ensure that patients with excessive persistent alcohol use receive brief treatment or are evaluated by a specialty provider within 2 weeks of the screening.
No. 7
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. 8
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.
No. 9
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. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that clinicians consistently notify patients of their laboratory results within 14 days as required by VHA.