Dr. Megan Rumzie, DNP, MBA, CNL, HNB-BC serves as the Innovation Specialist at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. Among her responsibilities, she is integrating immersive technology (XR) into daily health care practices, improving the Veterans' therapeutic experiences.  

Dr. Rumzie believes in the use of XR as a transformative tool in health care delivery. Veterans have reported profoundly positive sensory experiences, such as feeling sunlight on their face or the sensation of water at their feet, facilitated by virtual reality environments. These technologies, Dr. Rumzie emphasizes, are designed to provide symptom relief and enrich the quality of care, placing Veterans' well-being at the forefront of health care interventions. 

Since starting in 2019, Dr. Rumzie has witnessed significant impacts from these immersive technologies on individual Veterans and health care staff alike. While she asserts that technology will never replace personal interactions in care, Dr. Rumzie views it as a crucial adjunct that improves Veteran care delivery. 

Krys Earles, RN, BSN (MH), a dedicated project lead from the Asheville VA Medical Center, is making a significant impact on Veterans' lives through the White Noise Project. Recognizing the complex nature of sleep issues in hospitals, Krys, a Veteran, sought to provide a simple yet effective solution to improve quality of sleep for Veterans. 

The White Noise Project introduces portable, safe, and easy-to-use white noise machines in a hospital setting. Krys' vision is to promote recovery, health, and well-being for Veterans by creating a more conducive environment for restful sleep. Her efforts have resulted in impressive outcomes, demonstrating a 20% average improvement in objectively observed sleep hours and a 97% positive patient satisfaction rating. 

Krys' passion for helping Veterans shone through during VHA’s Shark Tank Competition, where she delivered a compelling pitch that encapsulated the project's mission and impact. She also received a record 8 bids from VAMCs across the country. 

Shane Smith, MSN/NED, RN, CCA, an ER nurse with ICU and Trauma experience, is addressing a prevalent issue in health care environments with a cutting-edge accessory for hospital beds. Many hospital beds, including emergency room stretchers and other specialty beds are designed at low heights that prevent bedside tables from fitting underneath. This design flaw disrupts patient comfort and complicates medical procedures. 

Shane is developing a removable, lightweight tray that attaches directly to the bedside rail. This design allows the tray to be positioned over the patient, facilitating better accessibility during medical treatments. The tray is adjustable along the bed's length and can be easily stored away with a clip system. 

Currently seeking additional funding to develop the first prototype, Shane aims to demonstrate the tray’s effectiveness. This development phase focuses on refining the tray’s design to maximize its benefits for patients and medical staff alike. 

Overuse of antibiotics can result in harmful Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infections. Among Veterans who receive care from VA, those who live in long-term care facilities or hospitals are more at risk for infection. The common method for C. diff testing is a rapid diagnostic test; however, this can produce false positive results and lead to unnecessary treatment. 

Two-step solution to fixing the C. diff problem aims to reduce C. diff health care-associated infections by promoting appropriate antibiotic use and educating staff on up-to-date testing protocols and best practices.  

As part of the updated testing protocol, clinicians perform a second step for C. diff positive samples to test for a toxin-producing C. diff infection and prescribe antibiotics if needed.  

An infection prevention team at Columbia VA started the innovation in 2021 to address rising C. diff infection rates. By the end of the year, C. diff rates were reduced by 100% at the Community Living Center and 51% in acute care.  

With support from Diffusion of Excellence as a 2022 VHA Shark Tank Competition winner, the team expanded the practice to Central Arkansas VA. Since the expansion, C. diff rates at Central Arkansas VA have reduced significantly by 57% from 2022 to 2023.  

Explore a recent video featuring Jennifer Daves, a registered nurse at Little Rock VA Medical Center, that highlights the latest results at the Central Arkansas VA. Learn more about the two-step solution to fixing the C. diff problem on Diffusion Marketplace.  

*Note: Internal link to the video is available only to employees on the VA Network 

FY25 VHA IE Fellowships Application Guide 

Applications for the upcoming 2025 cohort of Entrepreneurs in Residence and Senior Innovation Fellows will be open May 14, 2024, and will close June 14, 2024. 

 Interested applicants can use the FY25 VHA IE Fellowships Application Guide to review the application process, eligibility, timelines, and additional resources to craft a complete application. The guide can be found on the Fellowships Application website and downloaded here.  

VHA IE Fellowships Programs  

 The Entrepreneur in Residence Fellowship supports emerging innovation leaders with projects focused on improving health care delivery across VA. The Senior Innovation Fellowship is intended for seasoned innovation leaders who are prepared to implement a national scale project. VHA IE Fellowships provide all fellows with unique experiential opportunities for hands-on learning, networking, and internal and external collaborations across public, private, and non-profit sectors.