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What the VA can teach us about geriatric care
Edward R Ratner1, Melissa West, Kristopher N Hartwig
1University of Minnesota, USA.
Minnesota Medicine
|February 27, 2013
Summary
Medicare is driving innovation in elderly care, prompting healthcare organizations to explore new models. The VA Health System offers successful examples like hospital-based postacute care and home-based primary care for non-VA providers.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Geriatric Care
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Medicare is increasingly demanding healthcare innovation, creating opportunities for organizations to redesign elder care.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health System has a history of developing efficient and effective care delivery methods.
- Traditional fee-for-service reimbursement models are shifting, necessitating new approaches to healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight innovative care delivery models for elderly populations.
- To examine successful strategies employed by the VA Health System.
- To guide non-VA providers in adopting new care models amidst evolving reimbursement structures.
Main Methods:
- Review of VA Health System's established care programs.
- Analysis of hospital-based postacute and palliative care services.
- Evaluation of home-based primary care initiatives.
Main Results:
- The VA Health System has successfully implemented hospital-based postacute and palliative care.
- Home-based primary care has proven effective within the VA system.
- These VA models offer viable alternatives for non-VA providers.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare organizations can learn from the VA's successful elder care models.
- Adapting VA's postacute, palliative, and home-based primary care can improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Innovation in care delivery is crucial for organizations moving beyond fee-for-service.
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