Off-site Urgent Care Services for VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS)

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center (VAMC) located in Palo Alto, California requires off-site urgent care services for veterans. The American Academy of Urgent Care defines urgent care as "the provision of immediate medical services offering outpatient care for the treatment of acute and chronic illness and injury." For the purposes of this request for proposal, the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) seeks services at the lower end of the severity spectrum, such as for minor illnesses, coughs, colds, rashes, and sprains. X-ray and lab services are not necessary to meet the requirements of this contract. Pharmacy services, however, specifically a 10-day supply of a VA-approved formulary of medications, are necessary.

These urgent care services should be available at locations within approximately 40 miles driving distance of most veterans in the Palo Alto catchment. It is not necessary for the contractor to have facilities close to every veteran, but the awardee will have facilities within 40 miles of approximately 90 percent of veterans in this catchment. These services will be available upon referral by VAPAHCS, seven days per week, and after 4:30pm on weeknights.

VAPAHCS staff shall refer all eligible veterans to these urgent care facilities and it is the responsibility of the contractor to evaluate the veteran and provide appropriate care. Should the veteran require services beyond the scope of the urgent care facility's services, it is the responsibility of the contractor to refer the veteran back to VAPAHCS sites, including the VAPAHCS emergency room. It is critical that the contractor participate in electronic communication with the VA or a third-party vendor to facilitate data exchange. An electronic medical record that allows for third-party data exchange is an important feature of this contact.

2. SPECIFIC CONTRACTOR TASKS

Contractor shall provide the following services to veterans:

2.1. SERVICES REQUIRED:

2.1.1. Minor Illnesses: The contractor shall be responsible for providing care for minor illness such as bronchitis and coughs, sore throat, upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections (in women), flu-like symptoms, and other, similar minor illnesses.

2.1.2. Minor Injuries: The contractor shall be responsible for providing care for minor injuries such as bug bites, minor burns, minor cuts, sprains and strains of the knee and ankle, suture removal, and other, similar minor illnesses.

2.1.3. Screenings and Monitoring: The contractor shall be responsible for providing urgent blood pressure monitoring, glucose checks, and other health screenings.

2.1.4. Skin Conditions: The contractor shall be responsible for providing management of acne, fungal infections, mouth sores, eczema, impetigo, shingles, sunburn, and other minor skin conditions.

2.1.5. Pharmacy: An on-site pharmacy for the dispensing of an agreed-upon formulary to veterans who require prescriptions must be available.