Review of Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Other Outpatient Clinics of VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California

The VA Office of Inspector General conducted a review of the VA Palo Alto 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 alcohol use disorder care, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening, and outpatient documentation. We also randomly selected the Fremont, CA, CBOC as a representative site and evaluated the environment of care on February 24, 2015. OIG noted opportunities for improvement and made seven recommendations in the following focused review areas: Alcohol Use Disorder Care, HIV Screening, and Environment of Care.