1 PACT: LOCAL USE FOR FACILITY NEWSLETTERS.

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Prepared by: SMRivera

VHA Office of Communications:

Defining Excellence in the 21st Century

Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT)

FEATURE ARTICLE

(Fiscal Year 2011, Quarter 1)

VA PACT Puts Veterans at Center of Health Care Decisions and Planning

Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Focus is Whole-Person Care

and Life-Long Health and Wellness

Surveys show that patients want to have a say in their health care. They want to get to

know their health care professionals. They want to be able to communicate with them easily.

They want to be part of the health care planning and goal setting. They want to know their

options for care not only in illness but also for prevention and health maintenance.

In answer to all these wants and needs, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), VA

health care system launched an initiative focused on patient-centered health care delivery.

PACT, the Patient Aligned Care Team, is part of VA’s campaign, “Defining EXCELLENCE in the

21st Century.” The PACT concept is Veterans working together with health care professionals to

plan for whole-person care and life-long health and wellness. The focus is on:

Partnerships – between Veterans and health care teams

Access to care – enhanced through a variety of methods

Coordinated care – among all team members

Team-based care – with Veterans as the center of their PACT