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Diffusion of Excellence

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.

Showing ICARE with Rideshare

Created by the Orlando VA Medical Center

Veggies for Veterans

Addressing food insecurity for homeless & low income veterans in Phoenix

Created by the Carl T. Hayden Veterans' Administration Medical Center (Phoenix, Arizona)

Veterans Mobile Evaluation Team (VMET)

Crisis de-escalation, mitigate incarceration, expedite access to care.

Created by the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center (Long Beach)

VHA Rapid Naloxone

Increasing availability of Naloxone to Veterans and staff

Created by the Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center

Video Blood Pressure Visits (VBPV)

Blood Pressure monitoring using VA Video Connect.

Created by the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital (Tampa, Florida), John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital (St. Louis John Cochran)

VIONE - Medication Optimization and Polypharmacy Reduction Initiative

VIONE deprescribing methodology uses 5 filters: Vital Important Optional Not indicated Every medication has an indication. Project was launched in 2016 and has been successfully implemented across various national and international health care communities. Has won several national and international awards, and has impacted over 1,000,000 Veterans.

Created by the Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center (North Little Rock)

Virtual Reality for Pain and Anxiety Management

VR aids Veterans with pain/anxiety management and promotes relaxation

Created by the Charles George Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Asheville)

WHoOpSafe

A Whole Health Approach for Reducing Opioid Reliance and Utilization

Created by the Primary Care