HAPPEN is Saving Lives
HAPPEN (Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Prevention by Engaging Nurses) began in October 2016 at
the Salem VA Medical Center’s community living center (CLC) and has spread to a total of 111
VA hospitals so far (March 2021).
We predict that $200M and countless lives will be saved by
this initiative annually. The HAPPEN team is working to meet the VA Secretary’s goal of 100%
involvement in HAPPEN.
The HAPPEN team is collaborating with VA leaders, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), the Joint Commission, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Resources
and Services Administration (HRSA), insurers including Medicare and Medicaid, the Patient
Safety Movement Foundation, academia, and private industry to develop a national research
agenda, policy, and an implementation/ marketing plan for the nation.
HAPPEN team members at each site include professionals in nursing, medicine, infection
control, quality management, dental, speech and language pathology, and others.
Providing consistent oral care to hospitalized Veterans and long-term care residents cuts
the risk of developing pneumonia in half.
VA hospitals that have implemented the program report a decrease in pneumonia rates of 40–60%. Implementation does not require a significant investment in either time or money.
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