VHAN’s Care Management team often steps in to provide relief and assistance to overworked caregivers. Recently, this coordinated approach benefited an overwhelmed daughter caring for her 75-year-old mother with a history of vascular dementia and multiple strokes. The patient came to VUMC with increased blood sugars, along with weakness and confusion that had resulted in a fall at home. The VHAN Care Management team not only help patients cope with complex conditions, but they also provide compassionate service and a listening ear to caregivers, reminding them not to neglect their own health while in pursuit of their loved one’s healing.

At least 30% of outpatient-prescribed antibiotics are unnecessary, sometimes leading to ER visits for adverse drug events in patients of all ages. To increase the appropriate use of antibiotics and decrease the threat of antibiotic resistance, VHAN has launched a new Antibiotic Stewardship Program, focusing on Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs) in the first phase.

The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) with a patient’s primary care provider can help prevent illness based on a patient’s current health and risk factors.

VHAN’s Care Management team often works with patients in the Diabetes Outreach Program to assist them in overcoming health obstacles that can stand in the way of positive outcomes. This was the case with a recent patient who was unable to complete the program due to difficulty having his labs drawn. VHAN Patient Service Specialist Lisa Fatzinger stepped in to offer direct communication and additional support, eventually helping him to complete the program successfully.

VHAN members also scored higher than Aetna’s Q4 national average on several measures.

To improve our performance, VHAN licensed clinical social workers met with practices to promote our social work program and the benefits of using the pediatric behavioral health consult line.

Young patients who turn 18 are suddenly forced to fend for themselves in a complex health care system, which can lead to confusion, frustration and gaps in health care.

Recently, a VHAN RN Care Navigator was able to connect an overlooked patient to much-needed follow-up care after a joint replacement. The 63-year-old female patient with comorbidities was admitted to a hospital for a planned knee replacement, expecting that she would be referred to a rehab facility at discharge. However, after spending a week in the hospital, she was sent home with no follow-up instructions. She understandably felt confused and disconnected from the system and worried about what would happen next—that’s where VHAN’s RN Care Navigator Cheryl Landis stepped in.

Coinciding with VHAN’s 10th anniversary, the third season of the miniVHAN podcast looks back at the unique vision for VHAN and how the network launched amidst a major transition in health care from fee-for-service to value-based care following the signing of the Affordable Care Act in 2010.