Increasing Consults to TeleMOVE: A Quality Improvement Initiative at Columbia VAHCS

After the national removal of the MOVE clinical reminder in November 2023, the Columbia VA Health Care System experienced a 47% decline in TeleMOVE weight management consults. In response, a multidisciplinary team launched a quality improvement project in June 2024 to restore referral rates. Interventions included embedding a TeleMOVE alert in the LPN template, placing promotional materials in exam rooms, and educating staff through huddles and meetings. Two PDSA cycles were conducted, resulting in a 42% increase in average monthly consults—surpassing the 20% improvement goal. The LPN alert proved most effective in prompting referrals. This poster highlights how simple workflow changes and staff engagement can successfully counteract the loss of automated prompts and improve access to patient-centered care.

Explain how the removal of clinical reminders can impact service utilization and patient care.

Describe effective strategies to increase program referrals through workflow integration and staff education.

Apply lessons from the TeleMOVE project to other clinical programs experiencing referral declines.