Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center, Clarksburg, West Virginia

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
15-00178-56
VISN
State
West Virginia
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
9
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
The VA Office of Inspector General conducted a review of the Louis A. Johnson 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 Monongalia County VA Clinic, Westover, WV, as a representative site and evaluated the environment of care on September 22, 2015. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made nine 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 patient-identifiable information on laboratory specimens at the Monongalia County VA Clinic.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the information technology server closet at the Monongalia County VA Clinic is maintained according to information technology safety and security standards.
No. 3
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. 4
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. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that Clinic 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. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Facility Director develops policies and procedures that facilitate human immunodeficiency virus testing as part of routine medical care for patients.
No. 7
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. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Facility director ensures that the facility’s written policy for the communication of laboratory results includes all required elements.
No. 9
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.