Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut

Report Information

Issue Date
Closure Date
Report Number
16-00027-318
VISN
State
Connecticut
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 VA Connecticut Healthcare 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 Winsted VA Clinic, Winsted, CT, as a representative site and evaluated the environment of care on March 22, 2016. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made five recommendations in the following focused review areas: Home Telehealth Enrollment, Outpatient Lab Results Management, and Environment of Care.

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)
Closure Date: 6/10/2016
We recommended that the Facility Director ensures that fire drills and fire drill critiques are conducted at least every 12 months at the Winsted VA Clinic.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/7/2016
We recommended that the Winsted VA Clinic manager ensures that the information technology server closet is maintained according to information technology safety and security standards.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/29/2017
We recommended that providers sign Home Telehealth assessments and treatment plans.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/7/2016
We recommended that the Facility Director ensures that the facility's written policy for the communication of laboratory results includes all required elements.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/29/2017
We recommended that clinicians consistently notify patients of their laboratory results as required by VHA.