| If the one thing in the world that remains constant is change, then a variety of test lab initiatives under way in VHA regions across the country will soon provide a variety of practical and pragmatic changes that can deliver immediate results. Designed to address fundamental issues like patient safety and effective pain management, they are on target to help VHA members effectively meet the challenges outlined in the first round of reforms in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to be launched later next year.
One such program is Target Zero, a region's comprehensive, multiyear effort to create deep and lasting change by focusing on patient centricity.
"We've brought together a dozen leading organizations and 50 senior executives who are tired of simply going through more motions and are ready to create profound cultural change," says Patti Sweeney, executive officer of VHA Central. "Over the course of the two-year project, these organizations can expect to impact their patient safety culture, as measured by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality or AHRQ. They'll improve their 'mindfulness' of patient safety to prevent serious safety events and typically experience a 50% reduction in those events." |
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