Patient Satisfaction Ratings
Overall results indicated that the 34 VAMCs performed better than 329 surrounding non-VAs in rates of wound dehiscence, accidental lacerations and perioperative hemorrhage/hematoma. VAMCs also were superior in composite PSI ratings.
In fact, the authors advised, VAMCs performed significantly better than non-VAs—20.4 vs. 51.4 events per 1,000 patients—in composite surgery-specific PSIs.
“When comparing mean linear Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems score star ratings (1-5 scale), VAMCs had similar performance in overall hospital rating compared with non-VAs (3.28 versus 3.38, P = 0.48) and summary rating of hospital stays (2.87 versus 2.92, P =0.69),” the authors write, adding that, when compiled patient satisfaction star ratings were compared, no difference was documented—2.96 vs. 2.97, P=0.9).
The only key areas where VAMCs performed worse than non-VA hospitals, according to the article, was in “would recommend” ratings—2.7 vs. 3.13, P=0.007.
“Across disparate regions, VAMCs match or outperform neighboring non-VAs in surgical quality metrics and patient satisfaction ratings,” the authors wrote. “Veterans receiving surgical care at VAMCs may receive equivalent or better care than at non-VAs.”
A study published last year, also from White River Junction VAMC and Dartmouth, pointed out in an Annals of Internal Medicine research letter that VA hospitals were likely to provide the best care in a local healthcare market and rarely provided the worst.
The study team used the most current publicly available data to compare health outcomes within 121 local healthcare markets that included both a VAMC and a non-VA hospital.
In June 2018, President Donald Trump signed into law the VA MISSION Act, which streamlines the VA’s community care programs to remove bureaucratic obstacles to care in the private medical community. It sought to improve the possibility that veterans receive efficient, timely and quality care, according to sponsors.
According to the VA, veterans may elect to receive care in the community if they meet any of the following eligibility criteria:
- A veteran needs a service not available at any VA medical facility.
- A veteran lives in a U.S. state or territory without a full-service VA medical facility. Specifically, this would apply to veterans living in Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire and the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- A veteran qualifies under the “grandfather” provision related to distance eligibility under the Veterans Choice Program.
- VA cannot furnish care within certain designated access standards
- Eid MA, Barnes JA, Trooboff SW, Goodney, PP, et. Al. A Comparison of Surgical Quality and Patient Satisfaction Indicators Between VA Hospitals and Hospitals Near VA Hospitals. Journal of Surgical Research. Published:June 26, 2020DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2020.05.071
- Weeks WB, West AN. Veterans Health Administration Hospitals Outperform Non–Veterans Health Administration Hospitals in Most Health Care Markets. Ann Intern Med. [Epub ahead of print ] doi: 10.7326/M18-1540
