About the Minneapolis VA Health Care System
Minneapolis VA Health Care System (VAHCS) is a teaching hospital providing a full range of patient care services with state-of-the-art technology, as well as education and research. Comprehensive health care is provided through primary care, tertiary care and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics and extended care.
Patient Care
Minneapolis VA Health Care System is redesigning VA healthcare delivery through Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT). This initiative increases access, coordination, communication and continuity of care. PACT provides accessible, coordinated, comprehensive, patient-centered care and is managed by primary care providers with the active involvement of other clinical and nonclinical staff. PACT allows patients to have a more active role in their health care and is associated with increased quality improvement, patient satisfaction, and a decrease in hospital costs due to fewer hospital visits and readmissions.
Our hospital, long-term care, behavioral health and home-care programs are accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC). In addition, our rehabilitation programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Our laboratory and pathology services are recognized by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). We are also accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
The Minneapolis VAHCS is designated as one of four Polytrauma VA Medical Centers. As such, the medical center receives active-duty service members and Veterans for rehabilitation of injuries such as traumatic brain injury, blindness and amputation. A 10-bed transitional and community re-entry unit for polytrauma patients provides continued rehabilitation therapies to assist Veterans and active-duty service members to reach their highest level of independence in the community. They will learn to apply their rehabilitation skills in community settings in preparation to transition into their home communities.
In 2009, a $20 million Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder (SCI/D) Center was opened. The 65,000-square-foot center provides acute rehabilitation, primary care and sustaining care for Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. The facility includes a 30-bed inpatient unit , outpatient clinics, therapies and offices. A dedicated special-procedure room provides urodynamics as well as other specialized testing. The center is part of a national VA network of SCI/D centers.
Rural Veteran Health Care
Minneapolis VA Health Care System works to ensure rural Veterans have access to care by offering health care through tele-health and through Community Clinics. Community Clinics within the Minneapolis VA Health Care System provide care to Veterans near their home town and serve over 18,000 Veterans throughout Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.
Our Community Clinics are located in the following Minnesota and Wisconsin communities:
- Albert Lea VA Clinic - Minn.
- Chippewa Valley VA Clinic - Wis.
- Ely VA Clinic - Minn.
- Hayward VA Clinic - Wis.
- Hibbing VA Clinic - Minn.
- Mankato VA Clinic - Minn.
- Maplewood VA Clinic - Minn.
- Northwest Metro VA Clinic - Minn.
- Rice Lake VA Clinic - Wis.
- Rochester VA Clinic - Minn.
- Shakopee VA Clinic - Minn.
- South Central VA Clinic - Minn.
- Twin Ports VA Clinic - Wis.
Education
Minneapolis VAHCS has active affiliations with the University of Minnesota Medical and Dental Schools. Over 700 University residents, interns and students are trained at this VA each year. In conjunction with affiliations, residency-training programs exist in medical, surgical, psychiatric, oral surgery and diagnostic specialties and subspecialties. The Minneapolis VA has formal affiliation agreements with over 50 schools to provide allied health training in a multitude of programs. It also has accredited hospital-based training programs for Radiology Technicians, Nurse Anesthetists, Podiatry and Dental residents.
Visit our Education website here.
Research
The Research Service located in the medical center is among the largest and most active in the VA System. There are currently 179 scientists and investigators. Our VA Research funding draws over $29 million. Our researchers publish hundreds of papers, abstracts and book chapters each year on the most cutting-edge research projects.
Visit our Research website here.
Volunteers
Volunteers are an important part of caring for our Veterans, they contribute services and dollars important to programs that directly benefit our patients. Approximately 1,600 people volunteer each year with the Minneapolis VA Health Care System totaling over 200,000 volunteer hours.
Visit our Volunteer website here.
