Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews Virginia Beach (Norfolk-Virginia Beach), VA; Bellevue, KY; Hamilton, OH

The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed three Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the week of January 9, 2012. CBOCs were reviewed in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 6 at Virginia Beach (Norfolk-Virginia Beach), VA; and, in VISN 10, at Bellevue, KY and Hamilton, OH. 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: short-term fee basis care, women’s health, management of diabetes mellitus-lower limb peripheral vascular disease, heart failure follow-up, credentialing and privileging, and environment and emergency management. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made a total of 8 recommendations to the VISN and facility managers.