VA's Health System Outperforms Private Care

A new report from Medical Care found the health system at the Department of Veterans Affairs regularly outperforms the private sector. The report reviewed 36 studies published over a 19-year period, between 1990 and 2009. Led by Dr. Amai Trivedi, the authors of the report noted a series of reasons for the VA's performance including:

• Its disease management practices
• Its use of health information technology
• Solid performance measures
• An integration of health care settings

Says Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, "This report is strong evidence of the advancements VA continues to make in improving health care over the past 15 years."

Other health care successes for the VA include:

• Diabetes care. Three studies noted the VA adheres better to guidelines than the private sector.
• Health outcomes. Nine studies (comparing VA versus non-VA care) discovered better health outcomes for patients at the VA

For more information about the health care study or the VA's health system performance, refer to the Department of Veterans Affairs' Press Release: VA Health System Shines in Quality-of-Care Study.

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