Operation Just Cause... ...for as long as it takes
Washington, D.C. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
announced today that it will tackle what many consider to be the
bane of the health-care industry -- waiting times and delays. VA
has contracted with the Boston-based Institute for Healthcare
Improvement (IHI) to guide the effort.
"Reducing delays is critical. It can improve medical outcomes and
positively affect patient satisfaction, costs and quality of life," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Togo D. West Jr. "Our goal is to
reduce overall delays and waits systemwide by 50 percent or more
within the next six to eight months."
Teams from approximately 130 VA medical centers and outpatient
clinics will work together from July 1999 until March 2000 to learn
and implement proven techniques. The teams will focus on patient
flow, access and efficiency at outpatient clinics.
"More timely service and less complex systems can be achieved by
redesigning our systems of care," said Acting Under Secretary for
Health Dr. Thomas L. Garthwaite. "Our ultimate goal in this
initiative is to enhance quality of care and improve patient
satisfaction."
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