VA facility not following treatment, documentation policies

The Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center in Mount Home, Tenn., has been cited for not notifying women about their cervical cancer screening results and documenting them in the EHR, according to a new report by the Department of Veteran's Affair's Office of Inspector General (OIG). The OIG conducted its inspection as part of a systematic review of CBOCs, which are required to follow VA policies and provide care that is consistent, safe and of high quality. However, the OIG found that the CBOC was not reporting all screenings to patients within the required 14 day timeframe nor documenting into the EHR. The OIG recommended that patients be notified on time and that the notification be duly documented. This is not the first time that a VA facility has been found lax in following treatment and documentation policies. The OIG also found other deficiencies. Report