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Often when we think of cutting edge technology or modern methods of care the private sector tends to get all the attention and it seems that often government agencies only catch up years later. However, when it comes to healthcare innovations, the Veterans Health Administration often leads the pack. This giant healthcare machine, which serves over 5. 8 million patients every year, used to be thought of as the pariah of healthcare. In fact as recently as 1992 the care at VA hospitals was so substandard that Congress considered shutting down the entire system and giving ex-G.I.s vouchers for treatment at private facilities.
Today it's a very different story. The VA runs the largest integrated health-care system in the country, with more than 1,400 hospitals, clinics and nursing homes, employing 14,800 doctors, 61,000 nurses and over 100,000 others to manage patients. Because of all the changes that have taken place, including more aggressive management, there were also much higher chances for errors and mistakes. However, the VA was able to avoid many of the problems that plague other healthcare systems, by starting the National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS). This division is charged with overseeing the new Patient Safety Information System (SPOT) program.
This month, our publisher, Steve Freed, caught up with Keith W. Trettin, R.Ph., MBA, Program Manager at the NCPS in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to find out how they established the program, how it is working and if it could work in the non-government setting.
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