Respond on this post:Ayele, R. A., Lawrence, E., McCreight, M., Fehling, K., Peterson, J., Glasgow, R. E., . . . Battaglia, C. (2017). Study protocol: Improving the transition of care from a non-netwo

Respond on this post:

Ayele, R. A., Lawrence, E., McCreight, M., Fehling, K., Peterson, J., Glasgow, R. E., . . . Battaglia, C. (2017). Study protocol: Improving the transition of care from a non-network hospital back

            to the patients medical home. BMC Health Services Research, 17 doi:http://dx.doi.org.prx-keiser.lirn.net/10.1186/s12913-017-2048-z

Annotation:  This article identifies gaps in continuity of care experienced by Veterans transitioning to primary care after a non-Veteran Affairs (VA) hospitalization and provides a quality improvement plan to bridge that gap.  Data is gathered from Veterans, providers, staff and administrators regarding the current transition process following a non-VA hospitalization along with VA claim data.  Then in an effort to improve the transition process a care coordinator led intervention plan is developed, implemented, tested and reevaluated.  This study is a perfect example of the steps a healthcare administrator would use to facilitate a quality improvement project, PDCA, or Lean Six Sigma process improvement.  Several useful graphs are so provided that give a visual of the QI project. 

               Writing in high school was very restrictive for creativity, I would have more red correction marks than positive feedback on my papers.  A wonderful college professor provided a new perspective on creative writing that helped me to relax and let the thoughts and words flow.  Research does pique my interest and I am enjoying this project.  APA used to intimidate me, but the constant use of it throughout my college career has improved my understanding of it and it has become second nature.  Research is so much easier with the use of the computer and the internet—far from the hours spent in the library as a teenager using the Dewey Decimal system to search for a book that was already checked out.