The Value-Care Action Group (VCAG) is currently accepting applications for high-value care improvement projects across the Department of Medicine. Faculty with questions should contact darren_dewalt@med.unc.edu, john_vargus@med.unc.edu or scott_keller@med.unc.edu. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2022.
The Department of Medicine’s Value-Care Action Group develops recommendations and resources focused on high value care that helps clinicians provide the best possible care to patients while simultaneously reducing unnecessary costs to the healthcare system.
Ron Falk, MD, chair of the department, created the group and appointed champions in each medicine division, encouraging the review of current practices that look for improvements for high-value outcomes in healthcare. High-value is defined by the quality of patient-centered care achieved per unit of cost. Faculty receive protected time to implement project changes.
Darren DeWalt, MD, chief of the division of general medicine and clinical epidemiology, serves as the medical director for the team and helps define the projects. John Vargas is the project manager. Scott Keller is the director of business development keeping the team focused on value-oriented care models.
Faculty in each division are encouraged to submit care improvement projects during the month of January. To date, a variety of VCAG projects have been implemented to improve the care experience for both patients and clinicians, while also reducing unnecessary costs. Following is a list of VCAG projects by division.
Division of Cardiology
Outpatient diuresis clinic VCAG project keeps serving. (July 19, 2021)
Diuresis clinic receives quality and safety team award. (September 28, 2020)
Outpatient diuresis clinic, a new approach to managing heart failure. (May 11, 2018)
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism
VCAG project set out to improve glycemic control at UNC Medical Center, now the insulin order, a subsequent project, is expected to change practice across the UNC Health System. (October 27, 2021)
Medicine’s Value-Care Action Group introduces specialized inpatient diabetes management services. (August 31, 2020)
Value-Care Action Group’s eConsults Reach Milestone, Styner Explains How They Impact Patient Care. (October 29, 2020)
Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology
Loehr leads VCAG project to enhance follow up care for patients who have been hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. (September 1, 2021)
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
VCAG update: Arora introduces new tools to enhance endoscopy procedures. (November 30, 2021)
Think eConsults, a virtual care connection to specialists. (September 11, 2019)
Division of Hospital Medicine
Medicine introduces new telemetry protocol. (June 26, 2017)
Division of Nephrology and Hypertension
VCAG introduces new care pathway for low risk CKD patients. (August 2, 2021)
Division of Oncology
New VCAG project improves care for cancer patients while reducing unnecessary visits to the ED. (January 29, 2021)
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Drummond leads VCAG project to reduce COPD readmissions. (September 30, 2021)