The Diffusion of Excellence Initiative helps to identify and disseminate clinical and administrative best practices through a learning environment that empowers its top performers to apply their innovative ideas throughout the system. All practices featured on this page are winners of the national VHA Shark Tank Competition.
eScreening
Enhancing quality of care by communicating health needs collaboratively
Fall Prevention System
Use smart socks to alert nurses when fall-risk patient get out of bed.
Falls Boot Camp
Preventing falls through team style activity sessions
FLOW3
Delivery of prosthetic limbs in less than half the time
Gerofit
Gerofit: is a group-based exercise program for older Veterans that is individually tailored to improve functional deficits. Classes are offered virtual and in person at select facilities.
Healing Veteran Hearts with Virtual Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation (Smart HEART)
Reduce cardiovascular disease risk and improve quality of life
Healthier Kidneys Through Your Kitchen (HKTYK)
Earlier Nutrition Intervention for Chronic Kidney Disease: Inspiring and supporting behavior change through nutrition, cooking, and movement.
Hospital acquired pneumonia prevention by engaging nurses (HAPPEN)
Brushing teeth is saving Veteran lives
Increasing Access to Primary Care Using Pharmacist Providers
Pharmacists open access by shifting appointments & saving time.
Intermediate Care Technician
To augment the VA workforce with former military combat medics, medical technicians, and corpsmen in a unique health care role that: Utilizes their vast array of clinical skill-sets for Veteran care; Decreases overall visit waiting times and improve access to healthcare to make the VHA the “treatment of choice;” and, Improves the transition of this highly trained and skilled work force from DoD to Veteran care with a career pathway for professional healthcare roles.
Joint Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense Collaborative Virtual Diabetes Self-Management Training and Education Program
VA DOD National Diabetes Self Management Education and Support Program
Kicking CAUTI Campaign
Our intervention reduces unneeded urine tests & antibiotic treatment.