Community Based Outpatient Clinic Reviews San Antonio (North Central Federal Clinic) and Uvalde, TX; Tyler, TX; Alamogordo and Artesia, NM; Bellemont and Kingman, AZ

The VA Office of Inspector General reviewed seven Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) during the week of June 20, 2011. CBOCs were reviewed in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 17 at San Antonio (North Central Federal Clinic) and Uvalde, TX; and Tyler, TX; and, in VISN 18 at Alamogordo and Artesia, NM; and Bellemont and Kingman, AZ. The parent facilities of these CBOCs are South Texas Veterans Healthcare System (HCS), VA North Texas HCS, New Mexico VA HCS, and Northern Arizona VA HCS, respectively. 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: mental health continuity of care, short-term fee basis care, women’s health, credentialing and privileging, skills competency, environment and emergency management, Primary Care Management Module, and contracts. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made a total of 45 recommendations to the VISN and facility managers.