Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews Durango, CO; Raton and Silver City, NM; Odessa, TX

The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed four Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the week of October 31, 2011. CBOCs were reviewed in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 18 at Durango, CO; Raton and Silver City, NM; and Odessa, TX. The purpose of the review was to assess whether CBOCs are operated in a manner that provides veterans with consistent, safe, high-quality health care. The review covered the following focused topic areas: management of diabetes mellitus-lower limb peripheral vascular disease, short-term fee basis care, women’s health, credentialing and privileging, environment and emergency management, heart failure follow-up, and CBOC contracts. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made a total of 24 recommendations to VISN and facility managers.