The Western
Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) measures outcomes in several areas each
fiscal year (FY) to ensure quality improvement and service delivery excellence.
Outcome measures are collected from a variety of sources representing the WBRC's
key stakeholders. This summary reflects the FY 2014 annual analysis of the WBRC
outcome measures.
WBRC Admissions:
The WBRC is
committed to ensuring that all eligible patients, who require blind
rehabilitation training, receive access to care in a timely manner. The FY 2014
performance measure for the WBRC was to have 225 admissions. The following
demographics are listed for information about the patients who attended WBRC
this year.
WBRC Demographics:
PROGRAM SERVED
Regular: 48
Computer: 46
Dual: 16
iProgram: 61
CNVR: 22
GPS: 4
Power
Mobility: 12
Two Week: 4
Total: 213
AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY
Regular: 39 Days
Computer: 28 Days
Dual: 43 Days
iProgram: 21 Days
CNVR: 42 Days
GPS: 23 Days
Power
Mobility: 25 Days
Two Week: 14 Days
Average Length of Stay: 29 Days
EYE CONDITION
ARMD: 68
Glaucoma: 47
Diabetic
Retinopathy: 21
Optic Atrophy: 15
Retinitis
Pigmentosa: 14
Trauma: 14
Stroke: 4
Other: 29
POINT OF SERVICE
World War II: 36
Pre-Korean: 2
Korean: 28
Post-Korean: 18
Vietnam: 89
Post-Vietnam: 28
Persian Gulf: 11
OIF/OEF/OND: 1
AGE
Teens: 1
20’s: 1
30’s: 4
40’s: 5
50’s: 29
60’s: 66
70’s: 31
80’s: 60
90’s: 16
GENDER
Male: 197
Female: 16
Access to Service:
While it is
imperative to provide quality care to Veterans during their stay at the WBRC,
it is also important to be cognizant of those waiting to receive care. In 2012,
the Access to Care Initiative: The Right Care. The Right Time. Right now, was
launched and continues to be a strategic initiative to ensure that all eligible
patients who require blind rehabilitation training have the opportunity to
participate in WBRC programs in a timely manner. The concentrated effort by
staff to streamline programs, and improve the acceptance/admission process has
significantly reduced wait times. The wait list reduced from an average time of
209 days in 2012 to 27 days (end of 2014). This is a remarkable accomplishment
that emphasizes our commitment for timely admissions.
Effectiveness Measures:
The WBRC
developed clinically based functional assessments and innovative therapies for
all disciplines in order to improve the effectiveness of treatment. The
performance improvement initiatives established WBRC as the first blind center
to produce outcome measures in all programs. The following is a sample of WBRC
discipline specific outcome measures from FY 2014:
- iProgram-
Veterans who participate in the WBRC iProgram are surveyed on their
satisfaction post-training related to the accessibility software for the iPad
or iPhone. All iProgram participants in Fiscal Year 2014, reported an improved
level of satisfaction in iPad or iPhone training and use. Most iProgram
participants reported a decrease in perceived level of difficulty in using the
iPhone or iPad.
- Orientation & Mobility- In the area of Orientation and Mobility, low vision Veterans
demonstrated improved performance for the visual detection of obstacles,
hazards and drop down curbs after training. This means greater safety when
traveling independently for these Veterans. Outcomes also show a reduction in
falls for Veterans on ward through enhanced fall prevention measures and
training for all Veterans participating in WBRC programs.
- Visual
Skills- Reading difficulty is the most common complaint among people with
vision impairment. Most Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers who entered the
program in FY14 were dissatisfied with simple reading tasks and found them very
difficult to complete. Upon completion
of a prescribed one-on-one training program these same individuals stated that
simple reading tasks were not difficult at all and they were very satisfied
with their ability.
- Manual
Skills- Veterans who participated in Manual Skills in FY 2014 reported improved
ability and confidence in using tools and performing house-hold maintenance
tasks. Outcomes also showed most
Veterans expressed a higher level of independence and satisfaction in
activities in which they had to use their hands.
- Living
Skills– At the conclusion of Veterans’ Living Skills training,
FY14 outcome measures show an increase in the Veteran’s confidence and over-all
satisfaction with their ability to maintain their personal appearance including
managing personal grooming and hygiene, clothing management, and eating skills.
The Living Skills’ Department outcome measures have also indicated that the
Veterans’ perception of difficulty with meal preparation decreases
post-training.
- Computer
Access Training- Providing accessible computer training skills is a strength
for the WBRC. For all four quarters in FY 2014, Veterans participated in a
one-on-one, comprehensive computer access training program with amazing
results. Nearly all of the Veterans participating last year expressed increased
confidence, enthusiasm and skills needed to function in their own homes and
other environments.
- Rehabilitative
Nursing- All patients trained by WBRC Nursing Services to use the Voice Prodigy
Blood Glucose Monitor reported that it was “easy to use” at the end of
training.
Satisfaction Survey Information:
The goal of
the WBRC is to meet the individualized expectations of each participant and
stakeholder; the WBRC uses a variety of measures to insure this including the
u-SPEQ and Family Training Program (FTP) Satisfaction Survey.
Veteran Satisfaction-u-SPEQ
The goal of
the WBRC is to meet the individualized expectations of each participant. The u-SPEQ questions that are used to track
satisfaction are questions, 5.1 “Would recommend to a friend?, ”5.2 “Services
met my expectations”, and 5.4 “Services enabled me to do things better”. For FY 2014 there were 93 participants and
the goal of 90% was surpassed for all 3 questions:
- 99%
of participants indicated that their goals were met
- 99%
of participants stated they would recommend the program to others
- 100%
stated that services enabled them to do things better
Family Training Program (FTP)
Satisfaction Survey
The WBRC
provides a Family Training Program (FTP), if prescribed by the rehabilitation
team, to a close family member or caregiver. The purpose of this program is to
educate the participant on the implications of sight loss and the patient’s
adjustment to sight loss. The family member or caregiver engages in direct
individual interactions with members of the patient's treatment team. The objectives
of the program are to demonstrate the new capabilities gained, provide
education on prosthetic devices and specific supportive techniques, and to
assist the family member or caregiver with the patient’s successful transition
back to the home environment.
Testimonials:
“This has
been a wonderful experience for the both of us. It has given my husband
confidence and self-assurance. It was important for him to meet other people
with similar problems.” - Wife of a Veteran
“Thank you
for putting a smile back on my dad's face!” - Daughter of Veteran
“Thank you so
much for the care and new devices to manage his (our) life. New adventures
ahead! Thank you VA. This experience was beyond what I expected. He will be back.”
- Wife of Veteran
"This
experience has been a wonderful "eye" opener for me and our son who
lives with us, and we both will be able to help my husband continue to utilize
all the aids he has learned to use here and I know he and we will also benefit
a lot. Thanks so much to everyone on the staff here at WBRC." - Wife of
Veteran
"Thank
you for all the WBRC staff that they are all compassionate and understanding of
our situation while we are coping with the loss of my husband's eyesight. We
are blessed that VA WBRC is the best government organization." - Wife of
Veteran
