Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of Fargo VA Health Care System, Fargo, North Dakota

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
16-00023-252
VISN
State
Minnesota
North Dakota
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
5
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 Fargo VA Health Care 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 Williston VA CBOC, Williston, ND, as a representative site and evaluated the environment of care on March 8, 2016. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made five recommendations in the following focused review areas: Home Telehealth Enrollment and Outpatient Lab Results Management.

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 clinicians document assessments and treatment plans for Home Telehealth patients.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that clinicians document the Home Telehealth enrollment process prior to the entry of monthly monitoring notes.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that the Facility Director ensure that the facility’s written policy for the communication of laboratory results includes all required elements.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that clinicians consistently notify patients of their laboratory results within the timeframe required by VHA.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended that clinicians consistently document in the electronic health record all attempts to communicate with the patients regarding their laboratory results.