Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews Homestead and Key West, FL; Hopkinsville, KY; McMinnville, TN

The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed four Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the weeks of May 7-24, 2012. CBOCs were reviewed in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 8 at Homestead and Key West, FL; and, in VISN 9, at Hopkinsville, KY; and McMinnville, TN. 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: women’s health, management of diabetes mellitus-lower limb peripheral vascular disease, heart failure follow-up, credentialing and privileging, environment and emergency management, and CBOC contracts. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made a total of 14 recommendations to the VISN and facility managers.