1. Robert Monte, RPh, MBA, VAPHS VERC Director
Ian Joos, MHA, VAPHS VERC, Program Specialist
Veterans Engineering Resource Center (VERC)
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

2. Major Projects VAPHS VERC
Optimal Management of ICU
Scheduling Multiple Operating Rooms Under Uncertainty
Analysis of Predictors and Development of Scheduling Models to reduce Missed Opportunities
Develop Best Practices for Reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment
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3. Organizational Overview VAPHS VERC
In House Staff
Robert Monte, Director
2 Industrial Engineers
1 Data Analyst (vacant)
1 Program Specialist
1 Program/Statistical Support (vacant)
3 OAA Fellows (1 vacant)
Contracted Staff (University of Pittsburgh)
9 PhD faculty (IE and Statistics)
3 IE Post-Doctoral Fellows
2 Clinical Informatics MDs
2 IE Graduate Researchers
3 IE Undergraduate Students
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4. Organizational Overview VAPHS VERC/Office of Systems Redesign
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5. ICU Optimization VAPHS VERC
Milestones
Develop calibrated simulation model of ICU
Identify sources of historical congestion
Optimize bed utilization of ICU
Explore the effect of patient flow changes
Andrew Schaefer, PhD
Principal Investigator

6. OR Scheduling VAPHS VERC
Milestones
Verify, validate and refine OR scheduling model
Create surgical duration predictor
Test different scenarios and study their effect on performance measures
Evaluate alternative scheduling/service strategies
Jayant Rajgopal, PhD
Principal Investigator

7. Missed Opportunities VAPHS VERC
Milestones
Identify Best Practices from National MO Survey
Conduct Voice of Customer Survey
Data Mining for latent predictors of MO
Six Sigma analysis of MO
Lead National MO Initiative
Jerry May, PhD
Principal Investigator

8. VERC-RME AIMS Design and Optimize SOPs. (NEHCEP & VISN 11)
VERC Workgroups:
Design and Optimize SOPs. (NEHCEP & VISN 11)
Operationalize the standardized & digitized SOPs. (MWM, VISN 11 & VAPHS)
Life Cycling (VISN 11)
Asset Location & Management / Preventative Maintenance Scheduling (VISN 11 & VAPHS)
Develop Staffing Models to optimize efficiency and quality of work (MWM & VISN 11)
Redevelop RME layouts to reduce error related to human factors [Error Proofing] (Workflow/Handoffs) (VAPHS)

9. VERC-RME Mission
Improve the quality, reliability and safety of all critical RME
Study, analyze and improve workflow within and outside of SPD for all RME
Reduce variability of RME reprocessing to minimize “defects”
Coordinate efforts between VERCs to ensure optimal use of knowledge, talent, and financial assets

10. Office of Systems Redesign VAPHS
Past Projects
22 completed
Current Local Projects
6 VAPHS SR Projects
5 DUSHOM National Improvement Initiatives
3 Six Sigma Projects
Current VISN Projects
VISN 4 Lung Cancer Care Collaborative
VISN 4 Telephone Access Collaborative
Current National Projects
Transitioning Levels of Care Collaborative
Cancer Care Collaborative
Proposed VERC/SR Projects
Medical Home Initiative
National Missed Opportunity Initiative
Systems Redesign Education Experiential Learning MHA Students Graduate School of Public Health