Reduced mortality among Department of Veterans Affairs patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder lost to follow-up and engaged in active outreach to return for care.

Objectives: We determined whether contacting Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorders (serious mental illness [SMI]) who had dropped out of care for prolonged periods resulted in reengagement with VA services and decreased mortality.

Methods: We developed a list of patients with SMI who were last treated in fiscal years 2005 to 2006, and were lost to follow-up care for at least 1 year. VA medical centers used our list to contact patients and schedule appointments.

Nursing home-associated infections in Department of Veterans Affairs community living centers.

Background: Little is known about factors contributing to nursing home-associated infections (NHAIs). We conducted a survey of residents in 133 Department of Veterans Affairs community living centers to determine the roles of indwelling device use, bed locations, and treatment codes on NHAIs.

Methods: A Web-based point prevalence survey of NHAIs using modified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definitions for health care-associated infections was conducted on November 14, 2007.

Prevalence of nursing home-associated infections in the Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home care units.

Background: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest single provider of long-term care in the United States. The prevalence of nursing home-associated infections (NHAIs) among residents of VA nursing home care units (NHCUs) is not known.

Methods: A Web-based point prevalence survey of NHAIs using modified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definitions for health care-associated infections was conducted in the VA's 133 NHCUs on November 9, 2005.

Quality indicators in the Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home care units: a preliminary assessment.

The authors analyzed the minimum data set quality indicators data aggregated nationally from 134 Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home care units with more than 15,000 long-stay residents (>90 days) yearly for federal fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005. Despite an increase in the severity of illness and complexity of services as determined by the minimum data set case-mix indices, most of the minimum data set quality indicators showed an improvement (rate decrease) from fiscal year 2003 to fiscal year 2005, whether examined on a year-to-year basis or by an overall 3-year trend. Nationally, there was a 5.

Assessment of the reliability of data collected for the Department of Veterans Affairs national surgical quality improvement program.

Background: The Office of the Medical Inspector of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) studied the reliability of data collected by the VA's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). The study focused on case selection bias, accuracy of reports on patients who died, and interrater reliability measurements of patient risk variables and outcomes.

Study Design: Surgical data from a sample of 15 VA medical centers were analyzed.

Infection surveillance and control programs in the Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home care units: a preliminary assessment.

A survey was conducted to assess the capacity and current practices of the infection surveillance and control programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs' 130 nursing home care units (VA NHCUs) covering a total of 15,006 beds in 2003. All 130 VA NHCUs responded to the survey, although not all NHCUs answered every question. The majority of the VA NHCUs provided specialized services that might pose increased risks of infection.