Developing Metrics for Developing Metrics for Patient Capacity and Patient Capacity and

CapabilityCapability

Michael C. Vojtasko, CHEEmergency Management Strategic

Healthcare Group

Veterans Health Administration

Department of Veterans Affairs

Part IPart I

Background

What is a Metric?What is a Metric?

“Relating to Measurement”

What is a Metric?What is a Metric?

“Relating to Measurement”

Comes from “meter” which is defined as a measure.

What Is the Current What Is the Current Measure?Measure?

Beds by category

What is the Current What is the Current Measure?Measure?

Beds by Category– Medical/Surgical– Burns– Critical Care– Psychiatry– Pediatrics

Capability vs. CapacityCapability vs. Capacity

Capacity: Available Beds

Capability: Medical Specialties

Why Beds?Why Beds?

Best measure at the time.

Why Beds?Why Beds?

Best measure at the time.25 years ago most acute care and

follow-up was provided on an inpatient basis.

Why Beds?Why Beds?

Best measure at the time.25 years ago most acute care and

follow-up was provided on an inpatient basis.

Focus was on trauma.

Why Beds?Why Beds?Best measure at the time.25 years ago most acute care and

follow-up was provided on an inpatient basis.

Focus was on trauma.Easy to measure and report.

Is There A Problem?Is There A Problem?

Depends on who you talk to; but let’slook at some of the arguments for

change:

Is There A Problem?Is There A Problem?

Depends on who you talk to; but let’s look at some of the arguments for

change: - Decrease in Length of Stay (LOS)

Is There A Problem?Is There A Problem?

Depends on who you talk to; but let’s look at some of the arguments for

change: - Decrease in Length of Stay (LOS) - Shift to ambulatory care

Is There A Problem?Is There A Problem?

Depends on who you talk to; but let’s look at some of the arguments for

change: - Decrease in Length of Stay (LOS) - Shift to ambulatory care- Decrease in number of beds in the U.S.

Is There A Problem?Is There A Problem?

Depends on who you talk to; but let’s look at some of the arguments for

change: - Decrease in Length of Stay (LOS) - Shift to ambulatory care- Decrease of the number of beds in the U.S.- Experiences from Operation Iraq Freedom

THIS IS AN THIS IS AN EXPERIMENT!EXPERIMENT!

Part IIPart II

Workgroup Sessions

ProcessProcessBreak out into groups.Designate a leader and scribe.Three sessions of 20 minutes each.Each session followed by a group

summary by the leader--and discussion as time allows.

Scribe turns in key points.

Session 1Session 1

Is there a problem with the current measure (i.e. “beds”) and, if so, describe why? If not, why not?

Develop a problem statement for a workgroup to address.

Session 2Session 2

It has been suggested that “patient care capacity” (i.e., number of patients that can be treated by category) be reported by NDMS Patient Reception Areas rather than “beds available.”

Session 2Session 2Question #1Question #1

Assuming this suggestion would be adopted, what are some of the issues that would need to be addressed in the development and reporting of such a measure?

Session 2Session 2Question #2Question #2

What other measures could be developed for reporting the patient capacity and capability of an NDMS Patient Reception Area?

Session 3Session 3Question # 1Question # 1

Who are the “customers” that would/could use a measure of patient capacity?

Session 3Session 3Question # 2Question # 2

What authorities (agencies, organizations, etc.) would have to approve a new measure?

Session 3Session 3Question # 3Question # 3

What are the obstacles, problems and issues that would need to be overcome in implementing a new measure?

Where Do We Go From Where Do We Go From Here?Here?

CONTACTCONTACT

Michael C. Vojtasko. CHE

Director, EMSHG Operations

& VHA Emergency Planner

(304) 264-4805/4835

michael.vojtasko@med.va.gov