NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Evaluating surgical quality in VA and community care settings

Official title: Assessing Episode-Based Surgical Quality in VA and Community Care Settings

Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11076672 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how to make surgical care better for veterans by checking every step of the process, from before surgery to after, and comparing it to care outside the VA, so we can find ways to improve your experience and results.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVeterans Health Administration
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project startApril 1, 2023
Project endMarch 31, 2027
Funding year2025
NIH project number5I01HX003557-03
Project IDNIH-11076672 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who are scheduled for surgical procedures, particularly those receiving care through both VA and community care settings.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not veterans or those who do not require surgical interventions may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how to assess and improve the quality of surgical care provided to veterans, particularly focusing on the entire surgical process from pre-surgery to post-surgery. It aims to develop new measures that evaluate not just postoperative outcomes but also the quality of care during the presurgical period and throughout the surgical episode. By comparing care within the VA system to community care settings, the research seeks to identify gaps and enhance the overall patient experience and outcomes. The methodology includes analyzing data from various care episodes to understand the coordination and effectiveness of surgical services.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved surgical outcomes and a better overall experience for veterans undergoing surgery.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in improving surgical quality through comprehensive assessment frameworks, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful advancements.

Where this research is happening

  • Veterans Health Administration
    Ann Arbor, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Sears, Erika D — Veterans Health Administration
  • Study coordinator: Sears, Erika D

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation for PTSD in Veterans

    A non-invasive device gently stimulates the vagus nerve to help reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans.

    NIH research Veterans Health Administration · Decatur, UNITED STATES · NIH-11644348

  • Biomechanical check of a caregiver transfer technique tool

    This grant tests a quick, objective way to measure how well informal caregivers transfer a person, with the goal of reducing caregiver and care recipient injuries.

    NIH research Veterans Health Administration · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-11629321

  • Genetic vulnerabilities exposed by beta-lactamase overexpression in Acinetobacter baumannii

    A funded NIH project explores how overproducing certain enzymes in the bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii may reveal new weaknesses that could lead to better treatments for this dangerous, drug-resistant infection.

    NIH research Veterans Health Administration · Decatur, UNITED STATES · NIH-11611920

  • Airway protection gone wrong in COPD

    A long-running NIH project is exploring how defects in the small airways’ immune protection contribute to COPD progression and lung damage.

    NIH research Veterans Health Administration · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-11610658

  • Neural Circuitry Resilience in Psychotic Disorders

    Researchers are using ultra-high-field brain scans to understand how brain networks in people with schizophrenia adapt over time, with the goal of finding new ways to improve thinking and daily functioning.

    NIH research Veterans Health Administration · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-11563768

  • Tools to recreate deployment-related airborne exposures affecting veterans' lungs

    This project will set up lab equipment to recreate burn pit and other deployment airborne exposures so researchers can understand how they harm veterans' lungs and other organs.

    NIH research Veterans Health Administration · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-11534241

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.