REACH VET Implementation Program Evaluation

The VA's Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention is implemented an innovative new program to increase suicide prevention outreach and target Veterans at highest risk for suicide. Using a new predictive model, REACH VET, short for Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health - Veterans Enhanced Treatment, analyzes existing data from Veterans' health records to identify those who are at a statistically elevated risk for suicide, hospitalization, illness, or other adverse outcomes. Once a Veteran is identified, their VA mental health or primary care provider reaches out to check on the Veteran's well-being and review their condition(s) and treatment plans to determine if enhanced care is needed. The goal of the proposed study is to evaluate the implementation of REACH VET. The objectives of this evaluation are to: 1. evaluate the implementation of REACH VET using virtual external facilitation, and 2. collect preliminary data about the cost and cost offsets. The current evaluation will examine the impact of a virtual external facilitation strategy on the implementation of REACH VET in 28 medical facilities across 7 Veteran Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in a stepped wedge design. Primary implementation outcomes include metrics of REACH VET implementation: coordinator assignment, provider assignment, care evaluation, and attempted outreach. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with implementation facilitators, Suicide Prevention Coordinator(s), clinical leadership, and providers to identify barriers and facilitators to implementation of REACH VET and the experience of facilitation. Secondary data will be collected on the cost of the intervention and the cost of implementation strategy.