Transforming the Veterans Health Administration System: Personalized, Proactive, and Patient-Centered Care

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Gaudet
Keyword(s):  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Patient Centered Care ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Administration System ◽  
Centered Care

scholarly journals Sensory Environments for Behavioral Health in Dementia: Diffusion of an Environmental Innovation at the Veterans Health Administration

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 44-56
Author(s):  
Lesa Lorusso ◽  
Nam-Kyu Park ◽  
Sheila Bosch ◽  
I. Magaly Freytes ◽  
Ronald Shorr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Staff Perceptions ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Inquiry Method

Objectives: To evaluate the diffusion of multisensory environments (MSEs) as an innovation at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and gather feedback regarding staff perceptions of barriers to uptake and effectiveness of MSEs for Veterans with dementia. Background: Responding to the need for nonpharmacological behavioral interventions, VHA funded the first MSE for Veterans with dementia in 2010. The room incorporated LED color-changing lights, bubble tubes, vibroacoustic furniture, music, and aromatherapy, and the success of this patient-centered sensory room fueled national rollouts in 2013 and 2015. Method: A qualitative interview approach was used. Thirty-two staff members participated from 12 of the 53 sites producing 21 individual interviews and 1 group interview with 11 participants. Results were analyzed by a team of eight researchers using the rapid qualitative inquiry method to identify common themes and major insights. Results: Important insights emerged with regard to staff members’ perceptions about the effectiveness of MSE therapy as well as barriers to uptake and suggested strategies for overcoming those barriers (e.g., empowering a champion, developing a clear maintenance plan). Conclusions: The findings from this research indicate MSEs are perceived as effective in improving behavior for Veterans with dementia and represent an innovation that has been well-diffused within the VHA, with great potential for future clinical applications.

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