scholarly journals TeleWound Practice Within the Veterans Health Administration: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Program Evaluation

10.2196/20139 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e20139
Author(s):  
Bella Etingen ◽  
Jamie Patrianakos ◽  
Marissa Wirth ◽  
Timothy P Hogan ◽  
Bridget M Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Program Evaluation ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Chronic Wounds ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Outpatient Clinics ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Initiative Program

Background Chronic wounds, such as pressure injuries and diabetic foot ulcers, are a significant predictor of mortality. Veterans who reside in rural areas often have difficulty accessing care for their wounds. TeleWound Practice (TWP), a coordinated effort to incorporate telehealth into the provision of specialty care for patients with skin wounds, has the potential to increase access to wound care by allowing veterans to receive this care at nearby outpatient clinics or in their homes. The Veterans Health Administration (VA) is championing the rollout of the TWP, starting with regional implementation. Objective This paper aims to describe the protocol for a mixed-methods program evaluation to assess the implementation and outcomes of TWP in VA. Methods We are conducting a mixed-methods evaluation of 4 VA medical centers and their community-based outpatient clinics that are participating in the initial implementation of the TWP. Data will be collected from veterans, VA health care team members, and other key stakeholders (eg, clinical leadership). We will use qualitative methods (ie, semistructured interviews), site visits, and quantitative methods (ie, surveys, national VA administrative databases) to assess the process and reach of TWP implementation and its impact on veterans’ clinical outcomes and travel burdens and costs. Results This program evaluation was funded in October 2019 as a Partnered Evaluation Initiative by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Diffusion of Excellence Office, and Office of Research and Development, Health Services Research and Development Service, Quality Enhancement Research Initiative Program (PEC 19-310). Conclusions Evaluation of the TWP will identify barriers and solutions to TeleWound implementation in a small number of sites that can be used to inform successful rollout of the TWP nationally. Our evaluation work will inform future efforts to scale up the TWP across VA and optimize reach of the program to veterans across the nation. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/20139

scholarly journals TeleWound Practice Within the Veterans Health Administration: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Program Evaluation (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bella Etingen ◽  
Jamie Patrianakos ◽  
Marissa Wirth ◽  
Timothy P Hogan ◽  
Bridget M Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Program Evaluation ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Chronic Wounds ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Outpatient Clinics ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Initiative Program

BACKGROUND Chronic wounds, such as pressure injuries and diabetic foot ulcers, are a significant predictor of mortality. Veterans who reside in rural areas often have difficulty accessing care for their wounds. TeleWound Practice (TWP), a coordinated effort to incorporate telehealth into the provision of specialty care for patients with skin wounds, has the potential to increase access to wound care by allowing veterans to receive this care at nearby outpatient clinics or in their homes. The Veterans Health Administration (VA) is championing the rollout of the TWP, starting with regional implementation. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to describe the protocol for a mixed-methods program evaluation to assess the implementation and outcomes of TWP in VA. METHODS We are conducting a mixed-methods evaluation of 4 VA medical centers and their community-based outpatient clinics that are participating in the initial implementation of the TWP. Data will be collected from veterans, VA health care team members, and other key stakeholders (eg, clinical leadership). We will use qualitative methods (ie, semistructured interviews), site visits, and quantitative methods (ie, surveys, national VA administrative databases) to assess the process and reach of TWP implementation and its impact on veterans’ clinical outcomes and travel burdens and costs. RESULTS This program evaluation was funded in October 2019 as a Partnered Evaluation Initiative by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Diffusion of Excellence Office, and Office of Research and Development, Health Services Research and Development Service, Quality Enhancement Research Initiative Program (PEC 19-310). CONCLUSIONS Evaluation of the TWP will identify barriers and solutions to TeleWound implementation in a small number of sites that can be used to inform successful rollout of the TWP nationally. Our evaluation work will inform future efforts to scale up the TWP across VA and optimize reach of the program to veterans across the nation. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/20139

Veterans Health Administration Mental Health Program Evaluation Technical Manual

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcela Horovitz-Lennon ◽  
Katherine E. Watkins ◽  
Harold Alan Pincus ◽  
Lisa R. Shugarman ◽  
Brad Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Program Evaluation ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Mental Health Program ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Technical Manual

Retrospective analysis of reported suicide deaths and attempts on veterans health administration campuses and inpatient units

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjqs-2020-011312
Author(s):  
Peter D Mills ◽  
Christina Soncrant ◽  
William Gunnar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Outpatient Clinics ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Residential Units ◽  
Anchor Points ◽  
Suicidal Patients ◽  
Inpatient Units

IntroductionSuicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the USA. Inpatient suicide is the fourth most common sentinel event reported to the Joint Commission. This study reviewed root cause analysis (RCA) reports of suicide events by hospital unit to provide suicide prevention recommendations for each area.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of reported suicide deaths and attempts in the US Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals. We searched the VHA National Center for Patient Safety RCA database for suicide deaths and attempts on inpatient units, outpatient clinics and hospital grounds, between December 1999 and December 2018.ResultsWe found 847 RCA reports of suicide attempts (n=758) and deaths (n=89) in VHA hospitals, hanging accounted for 71% of deaths on mental health units and 50% of deaths on medical units. Overdose accounted for 55% of deaths and 68% of attempts in residential units and the only method resulting in death in emergency departments. In VHA community living centres, hanging, overdose and asphyxiation accounted for 64% of deaths. Gunshot accounted for 59% of deaths on hospital grounds and 100% of deaths in clinic areas. All inpatient locations cited issues in assessment and treatment of suicidal patients and environmental risk evaluation.ConclusionsInpatient mental health and medical units should remove anchor points for hanging where possible. On residential units and emergency departments, assessing suicide risk, conducting thorough contraband searches and maintaining observation of suicidal patients is critical. In community living centres, suicidal patients should be under supervision in an environment free of anchor points, medications and means of asphyxiation. Suicide prevention on hospital grounds and outpatient clinics can be achieved through the control of firearms.

scholarly journals Protocol for a mixed methods study of hospital readmissions: sensemaking in Veterans Health Administration healthcare system in the USA

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. e020169
Author(s):  
Lauren S Penney ◽  
Luci K Leykum ◽  
Polly Noël ◽  
Erin P Finley ◽  
Holly Jordan Lanham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Hospital Readmissions ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
The Usa

scholarly journals Social Determinants of Mental Health Care Systems: Intensive Community Based Care in The Veterans Health Administration

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ish P Bhalla ◽  
Elina A Stefanovics ◽  
Robert A Rosenheck
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Outpatient Clinics ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Programs ◽  
Community Based Services

Abstract Background: Since deinstitutionalization in the 1950s-1970s, public mental health care has changed its focus from asylums to general hospitals, outpatient clinics and specialized community-based programs addressing both clinical and social determinants of mental health. Analysis of the place of community-based programs within a comprehensive health system such as the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) may illuminate the role of social forces in shaping contemporary public mental health systems. Methods: National VHA administrative data were used to compare veterans who exclusively received outpatient clinic care to those receiving four types of specialized community-based services, addressing: 1) functional disabilities from severe mental illness (SMI), 2) justice system involvement, 3) homelessness, and 4) vocational rehabilitation. Bivariate comparisons and multinomial logistic regression analyses compared groups on demographics, diagnoses, service use, and psychiatric prescription fills. Results: An hierarchical classification of 1,386,487 Veterans who received specialty mental health services from VHA in Fiscal Year 2012, showed 1,134,977 (81.8%) were seen exclusively in outpatient clinics; 27,931 (2.0 %) received intensive SMI-related services; 42,985 (3.1%) criminal justice services; 160,273 (11.6%) specialized homelessness services; and 20,921 (1.5%) vocational services. Compared to those seen only in clinics, veterans in the four community treatment groups were more likely to be black, diagnosed with HIV and hepatitis, had more numerous substance use diagnoses and made far more extensive use of mental health outpatient and inpatient care. Conclusions: Almost one-fifth of VHA mental health patients receive community-based services prominently addressing major social determinants of health and multimorbid substance use disorders.

scholarly journals Social Determinants of Mental Health Care Systems: Intensive Community Based Care in The Veterans Health Administration

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ish P Bhalla ◽  
Elina A Stefanovics ◽  
Robert A Rosenheck
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Outpatient Clinics ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Programs ◽  
Community Based Services

Abstract Background: Since deinstitutionalization in the 1950s-1970s, public mental health care has changed its focus from asylums to general hospitals, outpatient clinics and specialized community-based programs addressing both clinical and social determinants of mental health. Analysis of the place of community-based programs within a comprehensive health system such as the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) may illuminate the role of social forces in shaping contemporary public mental health systems. Methods: National VHA administrative data were used to compare veterans who exclusively received outpatient clinic care to those receiving four types of specialized community-based services, addressing: 1) functional disabilities from severe mental illness (SMI), 2) justice system involvement, 3) homelessness, and 4) vocational rehabilitation. Bivariate comparisons and multinomial logistic regression analyses compared groups on demographics, diagnoses, service use, and psychiatric prescription fills. Results: An hierarchical classification of 1,386,487 Veterans who received specialty mental health services from VHA in Fiscal Year 2012, showed 1,134,977 (81.8%) were seen exclusively in outpatient clinics; 27,931 (2.0 %) received intensive SMI-related services; 42,985 (3.1%) criminal justice services; 160,273 (11.6%) specialized homelessness services; and 20,921 (1.5%) vocational services. Compared to those seen only in clinics, veterans in the four community treatment groups were more likely to be black, diagnosed with HIV and hepatitis, had more numerous substance use diagnoses and made far more extensive use of mental health outpatient and inpatient care. Conclusions: Almost one-fifth of VHA mental health patients receive community-based services prominantly addressing major social determinants of health and multimorbid substance use disorders.

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