Discharge Information and Support for Patients Receiving Outpatient Care in the Emergency Department

The Veterans\' Health Administration (VHA) is committed to improving primary care through the implementation of Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACTs). Improving access to services and care coordination are among the primary goals of PACTs; however, there remain many unanswered questions about how best to use the limited time of PACT team members, such as nurse care managers, to accomplish this. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led telephone support program for Veterans who have been treated recently in the emergency department (ED) and are at high risk for repeat visits. The program\'s goals are to reduce the need for future ED use and improve satisfaction among Veterans by providing information and support related to the ED visit, enhancing chronic disease management and educating Veterans and family members about PACT and other VA and community services. If proven effective, this program could improve health and healthcare for a large, vulnerable group of Veterans and be cost saving for VHA.