Research News
HSR&D Announces New QUERI Programs and Partnered Evaluation
October 18, 2016
Beginning on October 1, 2016, HSR&D funded three new QUERI (Quality Enhancement Research Initiative) programs and one new Partnered Evaluation Initiative (PEI).
- The goal of the Optimizing Appropriate Use of Medications for Veterans (MedSAFE) QUERI Program is to optimize medication management in the VA healthcare system, in general, and Patient Aligned Care Teams, in particular, using pharmacy networks and decision support tools to improve use of high value medications, decrease low-value medications and improve the safety of high-risk medications. The Program is led by Drs. Paul Heidenreich and Mary Goldstein (VA Palo Alto) and their operations partners include the VA Office of Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM), VISN 21 Pharmacy Benefits Management (VISN 21 PBM), Primary Care Services (PCS), Specialty Care Services (SCS), and Primary Care Services.
- The goal of the Combating Antimicrobial Resistance through Rapid Implementation of Available Guidelines and Evidence (CARRIAGE) QUERI program is to address the growing public health crisis of anti-microbial resistance through strategies that support the uptake of new and existing evidence-based practices, policies, and programs targeting the improved use of antibiotics and the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. The Program is led by Drs. Michael Rubin (VA Salt Lake City), Charlesnika Evans (VA Hines), and Eli Perencevich (VA Iowa City), and their operations partners include the National Infectious Diseases Service, Multi-Drug Resistant Organism Program Office, National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS), and the VA Antimicrobial Stewardship Task Force.
- The overall goals of the Optimizing Function and Independence QUERI Program include implementing and evaluating evidence-based clinical programs focused on maximizing function and independence in vulnerable Veterans, and promoting the rapid translation of research findings into practice through implementation strategies promoting flexibility of clinical programs and a focus on teams. The Program is led by Drs. S. Nicole Hastings, Courtney Van Houvten, Kelli Allen, and Virginia Wang (Durham VA), and their operations partners include the Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC), VA Caregiver Support Program, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services, Office of VA Voluntary Services, and the VA Mid-Atlantic Healthcare Network.
In addition to these new programs, HSR&D also funded a new QUERI Partnered Evaluation - Evaluation of Implementation of a National Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training, which is led by Dr. Nilam Soni, whose operations partner is the VHA SimLEARN National Simulation Center,in collaboration with Patient Care Services (PCS) and the Office of Nursing Services (ONS).