Veterans Health Administration NSQIP Program Case Analysis - Coursework Example

VHA’s approach to its NSQIP program VHA’s approach to its NSQIP program was mainly to improve quality of healthcare deliverables through effective reporting. The senior surgeons realized the need for creating an effective database of surgical outcomes across 123 VAMS. Around 100,000 operations were performed annually. The huge database therefore helped create an information system which could be used by surgeons to improve surgical outcome. The efficacy and validity of data was important factor that could be compared across VAMS to improve and improvise surgical outcomes. Moreover, the program not only improved outcomes but also increased surgical efficiency and patient satisfaction.
How benchmark standards were established
The benchmark standards were established by understanding and comparing the characteristics of best performers. The major criteria used were health status of patients after medical treatment; The morbidity and mortality rate in 30 post operative days; length of patients’ stay after operation; patients level of satisfaction; surgical and anesthesia techniques used; better supervision of residents in surgical training; and impact of technology and equipment. These benchmark standards were vital issues that reflected health status of patients and thereby, the level of services and impact of technology in surgeries.
How computer-based records were leveraged
The program relied on using data comprising of pre-operative patient risk factor; key intra-operative process information; post operative 30 days morbidity and mortality rates; and length of stay. These were critical issues within the surgery that gave vital information about the outcomes of operations. The information collected from the database of surgical outcomes from 123 VAMS greatly helped to improve and improvise operations when the information was used to optimize surgical outcome.
Improvements that resulted from the program
The NSQIP or Nation Administration Quality Improvement Program was highly successful that significantly contributed in the improvement of surgical outcome across VAMS. Indeed, while the morbidity and mortality rates were considerably reduced, the length of patients stay was also decreased from 10.2 days to 5 days. The length of stay was deemed important as it illustrated the efficacy of treatment and endorsed patients’ satisfaction. It clearly showed vast improvement in the health status of patients after the surgery, thus reaffirming the importance of new programs in developing an effective healthcare delivery system.
Effective communication among the surgeons, nurses, administration and also with the patients was also one of the major factors that contributed to improved outcome. The various formal and informal communication channels were used that helped to disseminate essential information and enhanced mutual understanding for improved performance. The communication also helped to empower the patients and increase patient’s satisfaction.
How the ongoing practices were controlled
The attributes of best performers were used as benchmark to control the ongoing practices of low performers. The most important element of the program was that it was physician driven and quality improvement efforts were supported by leadership initiatives from within the VAMS. The senior surgeons and peer group had highlighted the need for effective and diligent reporting of surgical data from across 123 VAMS which were performing 100,000 surgeries annually. The data, information and knowledge were therefore used as informed choice to improve and improvise the surgical outcome of current cases.
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Reference
Case study as provided: Veterans Health Administration: NSQIP Program Read More