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Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia

Report Information

Issue Date
Closure Date
Report Number
16-00012-251
VISN
State
Georgia
South Carolina
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Healthcare Inspections
Report Type
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program
Recommendations
8
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 Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center’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 Statesboro VA Clinic, Statesboro, GA, as a representative site and evaluated the environment of care on January 28, 2016. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made eight recommendations in the following focused review areas: Home Telehealth Enrollment, Outpatient Lab Results Management, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Care, 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: 11/17/2016
We recommended that employees at the Statesboro 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: 11/17/2016
We recommended that managers ensure that Statesboro VA Clinic staff participate in emergency management training and exercises.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/25/2016
We recommended that the clinic manager ensures that Statesboro VA Clinic employees receive the required hazardous communications training.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/25/2016
We recommended that providers sign Home Telehealth assessments and treatment plans.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/25/2016
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: 8/25/2016
We recommended that clinicians document the Home Telehealth enrollment process prior to the entry of monthly monitoring notes.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/25/2016
We recommended that clinicians consistently notify patients of their laboratory results within 14 days as required by local policy.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/13/2017
We recommended that providers complete diagnostic evaluations for patients with positive post-traumatic stress disorder screens.