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Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
16-00010-302
VISN
State
California
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
7
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a review of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare 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 home telehealth enrollment, outpatient lab results management, and post-traumatic stress disorder care. We also randomly selected the Gardena VA Clinic, Gardena, CA, as a representative site and evaluated the environment of care on January 12, 2016. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made seven recommendations in the following focused review areas: Home Telehealth Enrollment, 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 employees at the Gardena VA Clinic receive annual training on the Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that managers ensure that staff at the Gardena VA Clinic participate in emergency management training and exercises.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the clinic manager ensures that Gardena VA Clinic employees receive the required hazardous communications training.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the clinic manager review the Gardena VA Clinic’s hazardous materials inventory twice within a 12-month period.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that clinicians document monthly monitoring notes for each month of Home Telehealth program participation.
No. 6
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. 7
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.