VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VA CIHCS), Veterans Integrated Service Network 23 (VISN 23) and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Facilities Management are implementing the Secretary’s CARES Decision by designing and constructing a new state-of-the-art 140-bed Extended Care Building on the Des Moines campus. The project will complete the consolidation of all bed care at a single site, resolving the Small Facility and Campus Realignment issues identified in the national CARES process. This realization of VHAs’ ongoing capital asset strategy will help the medical center improve care coordination, enhance the environment of care, and improve veteran access by moving care to the area of highest veteran population density in the state.
This efficient and modern facility will also serve to support VA CIHCS’ efforts to recruit and retain highly qualified staff in a competitive market to assure the best care for veterans. Placing long-term care services where veterans live will decrease travel time for more patients and their families, leading to increased patient satisfaction. Energy costs will be slashed by constructing an energy efficient building to replace 1930’s-era facilities, allowing allocated dollars to be driven into care services for veterans.
