VA Surgery Initiative Recognized for Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award

Veterans Affairs (VA) Surgical Pause Initiative has been recognized with the 2023 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award, according to a press release from the VA.

“The Surgical Pause is an innovative, data-driven clinical practice that saves veterans’ lives by predicting and preventing complications before they happen,” said VA Under Secretary for Health, Shereef Elnahal, MD. “We are thrilled to be rolling out the Surgical Pause across the nation as a part of VA’s steadfast commitment to providing Veterans with high-quality, world-class health care they deserve.”

The Surgical Pause is a swift and efficient initiative designed to evaluate veterans’ frailty using a risk analysis index. This screening, which takes only 30 seconds, is crucial in identifying high-risk individuals among the veteran population, enabling the surgical team to adjust treatment plans to match the patient's overall life goals better and reduce potential risks.

With the Surgical Pause already in effect at 50 VA facilities and expanding nationwide, there's a tangible improvement in patient outcomes, notably a decrease in mortality rates. A study featured in JAMA Surgery reveals a significant drop in one-year mortality, from 20% to 16%, in over 50,000 patients studied between July 2016 and May 2019 after the implementation of this protocol.

This initiative is a part of the VA's commitment to providing top-tier health care, which is increasingly recognized as superior and more cost-effective than non-VA care. Recent peer-reviewed studies in 2023 have highlighted that VA health care matches or exceeds non-VA health care quality, with most VA hospitals securing high ratings in the CMS annual assessment. Additionally, VA hospitals have outshined non-VA hospitals across all patient satisfaction metrics and have earned the trust of over 91% of Veterans.

The Surgical Pause is spearheaded by Dr Daniel Hall from the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, with the support of various VA departments, including the National Surgery Office and the Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care. This office has championed the initiative, adopting it formally in 2023 and offering support for its implementation in VA facilities with surgical programs. The aim is to improve clinical outcomes and ensure that the health care provided aligns with each veteran's long-term objectives.

Reference

VA launches new surgery initiative across the nation, a critical step to saving the lives of veterans considering surgery. News release. VA. Published February 15, 2024. Accessed March 19, 2024. https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-launches-new-surgery-initiative-across-the-nation-a-critical-step-to-saving-the-lives-of-veterans-considering-surgery/