Market Penetration Among the Veterans Integrated Service Networks

Author: Randall J. Remmel
Organization: Veterans Health Administration

810 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20420
USA

Phone: 202-273-8397
Fax: 202-273-9039
randall.remmel@mail.va.gov

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) operates the largest fully integrated health care system in the United States. The VHA's acute care facilities include 162 hospitals and almost 700 ambulatory and community-based clinics organized into 22 regional Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs). During 1999 veterans were enrolled in the VHA system and each veteran chose a preferred facility for care. Four million of the nation's 25 million veterans are enrolled. The VHA is required to care for six priority groups of veterans, and may care for others, resources permitting.

Using GIS, VHA is able to examine the variation in market penetration by VISN and facility to help provide the right care, at the right place, at the right time.