VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System Expands Home-Based Care, Brings Comprehensive Services to Veterans' Doorsteps
VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is transforming Veteran care by delivering medical and support services to their homes
Through its Home-Based Primary Care program, the VA ensures Veterans who experience mobile hardships in medical centers receive high-quality healthcare from a dedicated team of professionals. This program brings together nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, social workers, nutritionists, and speech and physical therapists to provide a comprehensive approach to care. This way, Veterans receive personalized healthcare tailored to their individual needs.
"Our HBPC staff is a skillfully talented group of dedicated and caring professionals seeing hundreds of Veterans weekly and providing a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare ranging from admission to discharge on a daily basis," said Valerie Pasquarella, chief nurse program director.
The HBPC program saw a 50 percent increase in speech therapy in-home visits from Fiscal Years 2023-24 while coordinating services like food delivery, in-home EKGs and wheelchair ramp installations.
"My staff are a lifeline to Veterans unable to travel to the medical centers," Pasquarella said.
The VA program expects to expand further in Fiscal Year 2025 with plans to introduce acupuncture, wound care, acupressure and aromatherapy.
"HBPC assists primary care in bridging the gap between inpatient and outpatient care," Pasquarella said. "We realize the importance of having skilled staff and incorporating local community resources. Through community outreach and collaboration with skilled care facilities, we supplement the care we provide our northeast Ohio Veterans."
Cleveland HBPC's efforts have not gone unnoticed.
The program recently earned a National Recognition Award from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement for being an Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Care and Excellence.
"We operate the largest HBPC service in the country, expanding to 14 teams in 2023," Pasquarella said. "This enabled us to serve ambulatory, non-ambulatory, short-term, and long-term care Veterans in their homes."
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, home-based care programs like HBPC are designed to reduce hospital readmissions and improve overall health outcomes. A 2023 VA study found that Veterans enrolled in HBPC experienced a 25 percent reduction in hospitalizations compared to those receiving traditional outpatient care. This aligns with national trends, as the demand for home-based care continues to rise among aging populations, including many Veterans.
Veterans must be enrolled in VA Healthcare to qualify for HBPC. Those interested can contact the VANEOHS for more information on eligibility and enrollment.
With its innovative approach and commitment to Veteran-centered care, the VANEOHS’ HBPC program sets a national standard and shows how quality healthcare does not end at the hospital door.
Enrolled Veterans can contact HBPC via email at Valerie.Pasquarella@va.gov or by calling 216-938-3942.
To enroll in VA healthcare, please contact your local CBOC or the Louis Stokes VA Cleveland Medical Center by emailing VHACLEOutreachCommittee@va.gov.