Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California

Report Information

Issue Date
Closure Date
Report Number
16-00010-302
VISN
State
California
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
7
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 Greater Los Angeles 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 Gardena VA Clinic, Gardena, CA, as a representative site and evaluated the environment of care on January 12, 2016. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made seven 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: 10/4/2016
We recommended that employees at the Gardena VA Clinic receive annual training on the Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/4/2016
We recommended that managers ensure that staff at the Gardena VA Clinic participate in emergency management training and exercises.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/4/2016
We recommended that the clinic manager ensures that Gardena VA Clinic employees receive the required hazardous communications training.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/4/2016
We recommended that the clinic manager review the Gardena VA Clinic’s hazardous materials inventory twice within a 12-month period.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/4/2016
We recommended that clinicians document monthly monitoring notes for each month of Home Telehealth program participation.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/14/2017
We recommended that the Facility Director ensures that the facility’s written policy for the communication of laboratory results includes all required elements.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/28/2019
We recommended that clinicians consistently notify patients of their laboratory results within 14 days as required by VHA.