Effect of a VA Chronic Disease Management Initiative on Hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions

Does a major chronic disease management (CDM) initiative improve the quality of care provided to veterans with ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs)? These investigators examined the effect of CDM programs on hospitalization rates for ACSCs in 2010 vs 2006.

Hospitalization rates for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs), such as diabetes, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are inversely related to access and effectiveness of ambulatory care.^1-7 For example, people living in rural areas often have more difficulty accessing ambulatory care and have higher rates of hospitalizations for ACSCs. Hospitalizations for ACSCs also increase with the number, type, and severity of chronic conditions.^8-11 Thus, health care systems that provide broad-based, effective ambulatory care may be able to reduce hospitalizations for ACSCs.