Winter 2007	Performance reaches the highest level in 2007
VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York had an outstanding year in 2007, most notably for quality, access and patient satisfaction. Despite more stringent standards and higher performance targets than prior years, our staff met these challenges with great success. Upstate New York ranked first among 21 VA networks nationally for clinical quality measures as well as for the entire range of performance metrics. We led Veterans Health Administration (VHA) nationally in cancer screening and tobacco management, while also generating the shortest provider wait times (percentage of patients seen within 30 minutes). Emphasis on alternatives to hospitalization resulted in the highest percent age nationally of patients cared for in home and community settings. New performance contracts In 2007, we created performance contracts for senior leaders network-wide at each medical center. These contracts were developed with precise standards intended to promote performance at the highest levels of VHA. In support of the new contracts, performance tools were developed to allow monthly measurements on one scorecard. In addition, monthly operations briefings with each medical center were introduced. These briefings, along with the performance tools, have increased discussion on all aspects of performance and operational issues and have produced wider staff involvement in process improvement, greater accountability and more effective action planning. Looking to the future Although the network achieved excellent performance in 2007, we plan to further improve care delivery and patient results in 2008. Objectives include consistent excellence across all locations of care, improving access for both new and established patients in all primary and specialty clinics and continually improving patient satisfaction, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. We look forward to building upon these successes in 2008 and beyond on behalf of all our patients, their families and the entire veteran community.
Winter 2007 Starting the New Year | Running | Vitamins | Performance Preparing for Disaster | Iraq Call | Feet Beat VA News and Updates | Health Beat | VA Wellness Programs

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