Improving Care for our Nation's Veterans--Transradial Catheterization Training Research Program

In December 2009, the medical center embarked on a little known and practiced procedure in the United States: transradial catheterization. As growing scientific evidence about the safety and efficacy of this approach became more apparent, the medical center determined a course of action should be taken to provide the most up-to-date care for veterans in Chicago and at VA medical centers nationwide.

The transradial angiography training research program, implemented in July 2012, trains VA hospitals that do not currently perform transradial procedures and converts them into a primary transradial program. A radial catheterization team was developed at the Jesse Brown VAMC to address complications, success rates and patient satisfaction with radial catheterization. Of the patients surveyed, 97 percent preferred the radial approach over the femoral approach. 94 percent of the patients would recommend the radial approach over the femoral approach. Read the whole case study below (click 'view item').

This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)