TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of the VA mobile clinics demonstration project
AU - Wray, Nelda P.
AU - Weiss, Thomas W.
AU - Menke, Terri J.
AU - Gregor, Paul J.
AU - Ashton, Carol M.
AU - Christian, Carol E.
AU - Hollingsworth, John C.
PY - 1999
Y1 - 1999
N2 - In 1988 the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act attempted to solve the problem of the lack of adequate VA healthcare facilities in rural areas by establishing a demonstration program using mobile clinics. Six clinics operated in areas that were at least 100 miles from a VA healthcare facility during the time period between October 1, 1992 and May 28, 1994. This article evaluated the effect of the mobile clinics' structural limitations on clinical care, the increased number of sites on VA usage, and cost. Limited space for storage of medical records and the unavailability of laboratory, electrocardiographic, or radiographic facilities significantly affected clinical practice. However, even with these space limitations, veterans' use of healthcare in the areas served by the mobile clinics increased significantly in comparison to reference areas. The direct costs per visit averaged more than three times what the VA would have reimbursed the private sector.
AB - In 1988 the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act attempted to solve the problem of the lack of adequate VA healthcare facilities in rural areas by establishing a demonstration program using mobile clinics. Six clinics operated in areas that were at least 100 miles from a VA healthcare facility during the time period between October 1, 1992 and May 28, 1994. This article evaluated the effect of the mobile clinics' structural limitations on clinical care, the increased number of sites on VA usage, and cost. Limited space for storage of medical records and the unavailability of laboratory, electrocardiographic, or radiographic facilities significantly affected clinical practice. However, even with these space limitations, veterans' use of healthcare in the areas served by the mobile clinics increased significantly in comparison to reference areas. The direct costs per visit averaged more than three times what the VA would have reimbursed the private sector.
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U2 - 10.1097/00115514-199903000-00011
DO - 10.1097/00115514-199903000-00011
M3 - Article
C2 - 10350836
AN - SCOPUS:0033017489
SN - 1096-9012
VL - 44
SP - 133
EP - 147
JO - Journal of Healthcare Management
JF - Journal of Healthcare Management
IS - 2
ER -