Community-Based VHA Clinics: Effect on Patient Satisfaction and Resource Utilization

This study was conducted to determine whether enrollment in a Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA) Access Point (AP) community-based clinic would reduce hospital admissions and unplanned urgent care visits while maintaining patient satisfaction with medical care. Through use of a survey and a review of medical records, data were gathered on the following three patient groups: veterans receiving care at a VHA hospital-based clinic, veterans receiving care at an AP, and veterans receiving care from non-VHA sources. Results showed that the number of unplanned hospital admissions and urgent care visits decreased in the two groups receiving care at VHA facilities.