Dignity Bags for Veterans
Last updated
Share PrintOur Dignity Bags were developed to address Veteran's incontinence quickly, discretely, and compassionately in the outpatient clinic setting. Veterans experiencing incontinence in the clinic often felt anxious and embarrassed, with some even leaving the clinic without being seen. Missed appointments are costly to the Veteran and to the VA. Through the Dignity Bags project, clinicians have access to previously assembled supply bundles which include personal hygiene supplies and disposable scrubs to address incontinence and allow Veterans to complete their appointments as scheduled.
Origin:
April 2022, The Villages VA Clinic
Adoptions:
6 successful, 1 in-progress
Awards and Recognition:
Diffusion of Excellence Promising Practice, Nominated for Daisy Award 2022, Honorable mention of HERO Award 2022
Partners:
Clinical Services
Recent Updates
Overview
The problem
The solution
Files
- Incontinence Education Flyer Incontinence Education.pdf
- Dignity Bag Dignity Bag
- Dignity Bag with background flyers posted in restrooms Dignity Bag with background.pptx
- Power point presentation Canva power point.pdf
- Approved SOP SOP DB final.docx
The results
Metrics
- Quantitative data has been collected by monitoring the number of dignity bags used monthly. On average we currently dispense 20 dignity bags per month throughout our 6 pilot sites. Qualitative data is gathered to assess patient satisfaction via self-report and greater than 90% of the Veterans express gratitude and improved clinic experience when receiving and using the Dignity bag. 100% of clinic staff have reported increased satisfaction in work experience once equipped with dignity
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
Implementation
Timeline
-
0-1 Month
Meet with logistics to order supplies.Coordinate with team members and assemble Dignity Bags.Review and integrate SOP per facility guidelines -
1-2 Month
Educate clinic staff on how to dispense and track usage of Dignity Bags. Post signs in facility restrooms and high traffic areas, to alert Veterans to the availability of Dignity Bags and how to obtain one. Set up teams channels to assure effective communication with those involved. -
3-4 Months
Actively track usage of supplies and disposable scrubs to manage inventory. -
4 Months/ongoing
Continue to track usage and capture Veteran feedback.
Departments
- Voluntary Services
- Logistics
- Nursing services
Core Resources
Resource type | Resource description |
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PEOPLE |
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PROCESSES |
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TOOLS |
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Files
- Education Incontinence Education.pdf
- sign out sheet dignitybagsignoutsheet.docx
Risks and mitigations
Risk | Mitigation |
---|---|
Staffing | You could leverage volunteers or divide or rotate between staff members. |
Cost | Some supplies could be obtained from existing stock. Scrubs maybe be kept separately and only used as needed. Deodorizers can be keep separately and used prn. |
Contact
Comment
Comments and replies are disabled for retired innovations and non-VA users.
Email VHANFLDignityBagsForVeterans@va.gov with questions about this innovation.
About
Origin story
Original team
Kristina Kniffen
PACT LPN
Emily Mendell
PACT LPN
We appreciate this new process/these supplies being together. It helps Veterans save dignity, proceed to scheduled appointments, and allows staff to have a standard process rather than taking them away from usual work areas.
Thank you very much for your positive feedback. We are looking forward to Shark Tank and the possibility of spreading our project to other centers.
Emily Mendell
This comment has been deleted.