The Unsung Heroes in Healthcare: How VA Augusta Acts Like 'Men in Black' for Veterans
By Megan Kon, Public Affairs Specialist, VA Southeast Network
At VA Augusta, a dedicated team works behind the scenes to enhance patient safety and quality, much like the agents in the blockbuster movie "Men in Black." These professionals are always identifying and resolving issues with unseen precision to ensure Veterans receive the best possible care.
Embedding Improvement in Every Aspect
VA Augusta's Organizational Improvement Analyst roles include analyzing performance metrics across units to pinpoint areas needing enhancement. This approach allows the team to foster improvements across different teams, ensuring each unit moves toward optimal performance.
Staff members conduct in-depth consultations with unit teams to devise and implement actionable solutions. By trimming down data, identifying root causes, and strategizing improvements, they uphold a high standard of care and eliminate challenges, much like how the "Men in Black" agents remove extraterrestrial threats without the public’s knowledge.
Incorporating Evidence-Based Practices
Similar to the way the “Men in Black” agents communicate and collaborate, VA Augusta teams convene to share best practices. This collaborative spirit ensures that all units benefit from collective expertise, enhancing overall performance.
The team integrates advice from key stakeholders — such as infection prevention experts and wound care specialists —into conversations with nurse managers and other frontline teams. This direct communication ensures that evidence-based practices are swiftly adopted. Celebrating every achievement and improvement fosters a positive and motivational environment.
The Role of Organizational Improvement Analysts
One of these behind-the-scenes heroes is Elainna Reid, an Organizational Improvement Analyst at the downtown VA Augusta campus. Reid and her team focus on maximizing the impact on Veteran care. Their data-driven strategies translate to better patient outcomes, bringing immense fulfillment when their work results in real-world improvements.
Meet our Organizational Improvement Analysts
Patricia Carr: OIA for Geriatrics and Extended Care, Carr partners with Community Living Center (CLC) providers, nursing leadership, staff, and ancillary departments to continuously engage in quality improvement, earning a five-star rating for the CLC.
Tara O. McKenzie: OIA for Mental Health, McKenzie serves as a consultant and liaison, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to improve practices that align with accreditation requirements and organizational metrics. She led the coordination and execution of a live tracer event focused on improving the safe transport of Veterans on involuntary mental health holds from our downtown Emergency Department and Acute Medicine units to our Uptown Acute Inpatient Mental Health unit. The successful outcome of this initiative directly led to the facility's adoption of this process, significantly expanding access to critical mental health services within our system.
Dr. Terrie Hazel: OIA for Primary Care and Rehab, Hazel identifies gaps and vulnerabilities in inpatient and outpatient care services, ensuring quality care across the board.
Elainna Reid: OIA for Acute Care and Emergency Department, Reid leads quality management and performance improvement initiatives, serving as a consultant, collaborator, data analyst, and change agent. She was key in reestablishing the facility's designation as a Limited Hours Stroke Facility.
BE FAST: Enhancing Stroke Care
A tangible result of the Organizational Improvement Analyst’s efforts can be seen in their stroke care enhancements. Previously designated as a Limited Hours Stroke Facility, the team identified a misalignment and worked to realign properly. Now, from Monday to Friday during limited hours, they provide stroke intervention services, including administration of the lifesaving drug Tenecteplase, significantly improving patient outcomes and reducing the need for transfers.
VA Augusta is designated as a Limited Hours Stroke Facility, equipped to rapidly evaluate and treat stroke patients. Effective Aug. 28, 2024, VAAHCS activated the VA National Telestroke Program (NTSP), providing 24/7 access to expert consultation via vascular neurologists for acute stroke care.
When a Veteran presents with stroke symptoms, the local provider contacts the NTSP triage line. If deemed a candidate for intravenous thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy, the NTSP neurologist consults via video conferencing, guiding the local team through the necessary procedures.
During National Healthcare Quality Week, Oct. 19-25, the entire High Reliability Organization Quality and Patient Safety (HRO QPS) team dressed as "Men in Black" to symbolize their covert operations in ensuring the best outcomes for Veterans.
VA Augusta's "Men in Black" delve deep into data, investigate with teams, and come up with solutions, ensuring that Veterans receive the highest quality of care without even realizing the extensive work happening behind the scenes. These unsung heroes embody the ultimate commitment to Veteran well-being, mirroring the dedication and precision seen in the iconic mo