Performance Monitoring of Substance Use Disorder Interventions in the Veterans Health Administration

Abstract

Background: Measuring and improving the quality of treatment for patients with substance use disorders are enduring challenges. Methods: This article describes how the Veterans Affairs health care system is using incentivized performance measures to promote more effective delivery of interventions for nicotine, illegal drug, and alcohol disorders. Results: The monitoring and incentive system has increased the delivery of evidence-based services, including screening for alcohol use disorders. Conclusions: Further work remains to be done to strengthen the connection between process-based measures and longer-term patient outcomes.

Keywords:

• Continuous quality improvement
• substance use disorders
• performance monitoring
• veterans