US News and World Report Rates VA Hospital Care - "Top-Notch"
July 12, 2005
In the July 18, 2005 issue of US News and World Report, VA hospital care is touted as often "the best around." The article attributes this high rating to the transformation of the VA health care system over the past decade. Beginning in the l990's under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth Kizer, the Veterans Health Administration instituted a performance and accountability system that was tied directly to the quality of patient care and outcomes. Patient safety and a new "culture of safety" that encourages reporting and examination of errors and close calls, rather than the punitive approaches of the past, continues to be a factor in VA's success. In addition, computerized patient records, clinical reminders that promote guideline-recommended care, a bar coding system for more accurate drug administration, and a willingness to take a hard look at problems and find appropriate fixes "is evidence of a seismic shift" and "fundamental change in VA culture." Dr. Jonathan Perlin, VA's Under Secretary for Health, continues to strive for exceptional care for veterans. Perlin noted, for example, that VA vaccinates 92% of its patients who are ages 65 and older against pneumonia versus 29% ten years ago. The article goes on to discuss other steps VA has taken to improve safety and quality of care. To read more about both the large and small things VA has done to become one of America's best hospitals, go to http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/050718/18va.htm.