To provide better access to care for veterans, especially those living in rural areas, VA opened a new community-based outpatient clinic in 1998 in Rumford, bringing the total outpatient clinics in Maine to six. An additional site will open this year in the Saco area. VA's emphasis on reporting and correcting medical errors has resulted in VA leading the nation in patient safety programs. VA approaches patient safety with a broad strategy that includes error prevention and reduction, education and research. The efforts are coordinated by the National Center for Patient Safety, which monitors a wide range of professional programs to improve patient safety.
Maine is in the process of incorporating VA's national patient safety initiatives.
Bar-coding for inpatient pharmacy is scheduled to begin by April 2000. Other programs are being expanded to improve patient education, decrease appointment waiting time and expand access to facilities. The challenge to care for these men and women is met through a variety of programs, including more than 100 nursing home care units in medical centers, adult day care, home health aide services and community residential care, contracts with 3,500 community nursing homes, and support to 97 state veterans homes. Additionally, VA conducts nationwide research on the causes and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and funds 20 geriatric research centers. A wide range of geriatric, rehabilitation and extended care services are available and programs continue to expand to meet the growing needs of this elderly population.