The Department of Veterans Affairs has unveiled what is considered to be a new program, which is bale to check the health records of a veteran patient and hence be able to identify the veterans who are likely to attempt suicide. The program was launched by the VA, in the whole country in June 2017, and is considered one of the best analytics program.

The program uses a programmed computer algorithm to access veterans’ electronic health records and be able to identify and analyse important  factors, such as chronic illness, socioeconomic stressors, hospitalizations, relationship issues, life changes and certain medical and mental health conditions. These are the factors that are used as indicators of people who are at a higher risk of trying to commit suicide. According to Aaron Eagan who is the program manager, the goal of the is to be able to know early enough if a veteran is likely to commit suicide and hence try to prevent a potential crisis

A statement released by Eagan, stated that the step is unique and new in an effort to enhance suicide prevention. The idea is to engage people who are well trusted, build enough trust, hence be able to meet their needs this in turn will reduce any probability of a crisis taking place. The program was piloted back in October last year in several VA medical centres that are located in Erie and Butler, Pa., . Then it was later decided that it should be expanded to the whole country and made available to al VA hospitals. Eagan referred to the program as an alert system.

So far, an approximate number of 6,400 patients have been identified as the most high-risk patients across the country. They have all been included into the program. The program has been titled the Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health – Veterans Enhanced Treatment, or REACH VET.

Coordinators have been placed in over 150 VA hospitals across the country. When the REACH VET program identifies a combination of factors that are likely to put a veteran at risk, that’s when the coordinators will take the information collected to a trained health care provider. The health care will in turn contact the veteran and “engage in a conversation,” After that the provider will consider whether it’s necessary to make a referral for specialty care.

The VA has spent close to six years working on the program and making sure that it will be a success. Veterans have been known to be at higher risks of suicide compared to the rest of the population.  This is according to statistics that has been collected by the VA, over the years. In the report released by VA, it was noted that the veterans made up about 8.5 percent of the total U.S. population in 2014, and the same veterans accounted for 18 percent of suicides. While in 2014 an average of 20 veterans committed suicide daily, and out of the 20 , six were found to be enrolled in VA health care.