Learning Health System in VA ICUs improves care for Veterans
Official title: Learning Health System Assessment and Refinement within VA Intensive Care Units (LEARN-ICU)
Funded at VA Boston Health Care System · NIH-11348682 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A VA study will measure how well ICUs use a learning health system to standardize care and improve outcomes for Veterans with life-threatening illnesses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Boston Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2026 |
| Project end | September 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 1IK2RD000424-01A2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11348682 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans admitted to VA Intensive Care Units who receive critical care services.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in ICUs where implementing LHS changes are not adopted may see no immediate benefit.
What this research studies
This project will explore how VA ICUs currently apply learning health system principles and how these practices affect patient outcomes. Researchers will gather national and local survey data and conduct in-depth interviews to understand barriers and facilitators. They will also develop a practical instrument that ICUs can use now and in the future to measure their LHS performance and guide improvements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help VA ICUs deliver more consistent, evidence-based care and improve survival and recovery for critically ill Veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous outpatient LHS efforts showed improvements; this project tests LHS in the high-acuity ICU setting, which is more complex and less explored.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Boston Health Care System
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rucci, Justin — VA Boston Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Rucci, Justin
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.